KARONGI- Health officers from all the districts, yesterday, started a five-day study tour to assess and discuss health sector policies and implementation strategies in the country.

The tour, organised by Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), kicked off in Karongi District where the general functioning of the health sector within the district was discussed.

Jean Bosco Rutayisire, who is in charge of health in Karongi District, observed that coordination among community health workers to promote house-to-house sensitization, has spurred tremendous progress in the sector.

"We have a health system strengthening team which has helped us to effectively coordinate all the health related services,” he said.

Rutayisire attributed much of the success to the community health workers who attend to most of the people at the grassroots level.

According to Chantal Rwakazina, a capacity building expert at RALGA, the health sector is considered a priority.

"If the health department is facilitated to adopt good service delivery, then other sectors will be successful,” she said.

Rwakazina acknowledged that Karongi has lessons to offer because it is one of the outstanding performers in the health sector.

"Being the best in health practices, such as Mutuelle de Santé, we thought that other district health officers could borrow a leaf from Karongi,” she noted.

The team is scheduled to meet Ministry of Health Officials today and then head to Rulindo District where maternal health and nutrition will be discussed.

Ends