KAYONZA – Pregnant women have been advised to give birth from health facilities so that their lives are not put at risk.

Addressing over 200 local women leaders attending a workshop on maternal mortality in Mukarange sector, Kayonza district, Senator Aloysia Inyumba, said Rwanda is capable of preventing maternal mortality. 

"Women must not die while giving birth. It can be prevented.” She said. "We want all women to produce healthy babies and remain alive after giving birth.”
Participants blamed traditional beliefs for snubbing professional health care.  

"Let us not beat about the bush, women and men in our areas believe more in traditional rather than modern medical care,” said Genevieve Muhongerwa, a nurse from Nyamata Hospital.

Other participants noted that lack of gynecologists in the province, also contributes greatly to maternal mortality rate.

According to Jeanine Uwingabire, from Rwamagana Hospital, the whole Eastern province has no gynecologist. 

"We depend on General practitioners. If one cannot afford to go to Kigali, it complicates the situation,” she said. 

The women leaders however, vowed to step up sensitization campaigns for women to attend pre-natal tests at least three times during pregnancy.

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