Residents of Rutare Sector in Gicumbi District will get an alternative health facility to replace the health centre situated in the area.

Speaking to residents at the monthly communal exercise, Umuganda, the Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwho, announced that the hospital would be completed in the next two years.

 "The ministry will give a new face to this health centre and in two years, we hope to have completed the construction,” said the minister.

President Paul Kagame had earlier pledged to have the new health facility in place during his presidential campaigns in the district.

Binagwaho also promised that the ministry would renovate the district’s only hospital in Byumba Sector, which is also in a sorry state. Patients at Byumba Hospital have previously expressed concern due to limited space.

Binagwaho acknowledged that the hospital needs to be expanded to cater for an increasing number of patients. Since its inception in 1947, the hospital has never been renovated.

"We are designing a new plan for the hospital’s expansion and we expect the issue to be sorted out in a short time,” she said.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the Northern Province Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe, expressed concern over the increasing rate of teenage pregnancies.

According to a recent report by National Women’s Council, 56 school girls in the district were found to be pregnant.

Bosenibamwe said parents and school administrators should join efforts to curb child pregnancies.

"Every pregnancy case will be handled in school and this will see every girl and boy responsible being punished by the administration accordingly,” Bosenibamwe said.

Ends