Kirehe-International NGO Partners in Health (PIH) Rwanda donated two ambulances to Kirehe District hospital yesterday.

Saleh Niyonzima, the Director of Kirehe district hospital said that the donation of the ambulances was timely, since the hospital had only one fully functional ambulance.

He said the ambulances will help to significantly check maternal and infant mortality rate in the district.

The Mayor of Kirehe District Protais Murayira emphasised the need for the ambulances, to facilitate movement of patients from far flung health centres, to Kirehe referral district hospital.

He said that PIH is an important partner in the district’s socio-economic development programs.

"The ambulances will improve the health standards of the people...It is true that we campaign for enough health centres to check diseases.

But before we can reach the level we want, we need transport to take them to hospital whenever they get ill,” he said.

Prior to the handover ceremony, of the ambulances, PIH experts presented districts maps, showing the topographical and demographical situation of the district.

According to Victor Murekeyinka, Chief operating officer, PIH, the mapping was done to allow the general economic planning of the district, to take shape.

"It is vital to know the population in a given area, before planning for it. It is equally important to know the distance between basic infrastructure and the people. This is what we have done for Kirehe district,” he said.

He said that PIH would continue to relentlessly support the district in its endeavours to provide the population with basic needs.

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