GISAGARA - The Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Friday, challenged health workers to improve customer care in a bid to ensure quality service delivery.

Binagwaho made this call during her visit to Gakoma District Hospital in Gisagara district where she held discussions with health workers with the aim of addressing outstanding challenges in the health system.

"Every Rwandan deserves quality health care. I believe that while there could be challenges, we must work through them (challenges) to attain our goals,” she said.

The Director of Gakoma District Hospital, Fulgence Nkikabahizi, said that there was need to increase the number of staff and procure more equipment for the hospital which serves over 100,000 people in this area.

Binagwaho said that the hospital will acquire the necessary equipment by the end of the year and pledged another ambulance for the health facility. She also emphasised that the ministry is set to send more health workers who are about to finish school.

Other health centres in the area will also acquire motorcycles which will enable the health workers to perform duties that include close monitoring of pregnant women and delivering family planning services among the population.

The Minister closed the Mother and Child Week at Mugombwa Health Centre where she urged thousands of revellers to make it a point to access available health services in a bid to improve maternal and child health.

"According to the Demographic Health Survey results, Rwanda has improved in most of the health indicators. Immunisation coverage, modern family planning utilisation, and use of mosquito nets has increased. Child mortality has also decreased by 50 percent,” she said.

"Despite the progress, we need to do more. These mother and child campaigns aim at increasing sensitisation about these services. Let us work together towards attaining the millennium development goals,” she urged.

Health workers were also commended for the key role they play in health promotion.

During the week, children aged 6 to 59 months and school age going children were dewormed and given vitamin A. Girls aged 11 to 15 years in primary six and those out of school were vaccinated against cervical cancer. Pregnant women received iron and hygiene campaigns were carried out.

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