The United States Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador Susan E. Rice has commended Rwanda for the great strides it has made in the promotion of the health sector.

Rice made the remarks, yesterday, while addressing healthcare providers during her tour of Masaka Health Centre in Kicukiro District as part of her four-day visit in the country.

"I am very impressed by the progress made by Rwanda in the growth of health sector. I have toured the health centre and found everything is in order,” she said, adding that after travelling in most countries within the Great Lakes Region, Rwanda still tops in having an efficient healthcare system in place.

Rice is in the country to review its situation, 17 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

She hailed the healthcare providers the Masaka for their dedication and commitment towards providing quality service to the patients.

Rice toured the health centre’s lab and interacted with patients before being briefed by the hospital staff about the prenatal services offered.

Marie Gorette Nyirabahutu, the Head of the centre, said that Rice was interested in finding out first-hand the progress registered in the health sector, particularly in dealing with child and maternal mortality as well as HIV/AIDS.

"She wanted to witness first hand, where we have reached in fighting diseases that affect mothers and children and she commended the work done so far,” Nyirabahutu stated.

Earlier in the day, Rice visited Rwanda Development Board.

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