Kirehe–Following the growing number of patients seeking treatment from Kirehe District Hospital, authorities have announced plans for a major overhaul of the facility.According to the Mayor of Kirehe District, Protais Murayire, the hospital expansion plan is at an advanced stage and studies have been completed to kick-start the works and the construction cost of Rwf 2 billion would be met by the government and Partners in Health."We have finished all the construction analysis...the hospital should change its face in the next ten months. The total cost is estimated to be Rwf 2 billion.”The Mayor said the hospital  was a referral to 13 health centres and patients in neighbouring districts of Tanzania."At least 300,000 people get treatment from the hospital...patients from neighbouring Tanzanian districts like Ngara, also seek medical attention from here. This is thus an important hospital,” he said.Philibert Kanama who works with the hospital said the project will add more beds to serve mainly infants, children and pregnant women.He also said the already existing infrastructure would be renovated and properly maintained.Juliana Mukagatare, a resident of Nyakarambi, said the hospital expansion was long overdue."We received the news of expansion recently...it is a great idea! This is the only referral hospital around, yet it is very small. We look forward to receiving excellent services in future,” she said.