MUSANZE - A new nine-room maternity ward has been unveiled at Busogo Health Centre.

The health facility which was provisionally opened, last Friday, was funded by the Global Fund. It is also expected to serve as a centre for family planning awareness.

Marie Gollet Musabyimana, the head of Busogo Health Centre, said that the facility was a timely intervention to cater for the rising number of women seeking antenatal care at the health centre. Previously, there were only two rooms allocated for antenatal services.

"We receive at least 129 women every month, 19% seeking antenatal care, while others come for delivery and consultation yet there was limited space for privacy or delivery,’’ Musabyimana said.

Health officials revealed that according to statistics, 9% of the pregnant women in the area produce from their homes, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates.

Musabyimana, appealed for other necessary equipment like beds, mattresses, weighing scales and tables to equip the newly opened ward.

Benon Rwabugande, a district official urged nurses and the community health workers to step up family planning campaign and use the rapid SMS policy to report anomalies in health care.   

Ends