NYANZA- The Mayor of Nyanza District, Abdullah Murenzi, has commended the outreach activities of health counsellors in Busesamana, Rwabichuma and Kigoma sectors.

He made the remarks last week while handing over mobile phones to community health counsellors.

The phones were pledged by President Paul Kagame as part of efforts to enhance health care in rural areas. 

"There has been progress in access to health care due to the role of health counsellors in educating communities and providing better services to patients,” Murenzi said.

Over 5,000 mobile phones were given to other health counsellors in Muhanga, Ruhango Kamonyi and Nyanza districts last month by the Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera.

The beneficiaries said that the phones will support their outreach activities in their respective communities.

Zabuloni Mutabazi, the official in charge of district health activities also commended the health counsellors for their efforts to improve the community social welfare, which has been evident in the increased number of residents seeking health care.

"Reports indicate that the number of people seeking health care has increased from 17% in 1997 to 68% in 2009,” Mutabazi revealed.

The counsellors asked the district to provide means of transport for patients who need to go to hospitals and identification cards to differentiate them from impostors.

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