SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — The President of the workers union (CESTRAR) in Muhanga district, Jean de la Providence Harerimana, has attacked Kabgayi Hospital for neglecting patients.

"In order to have improved services, there is need to improve the reception given to patients. But there have been continuous complaints of residents failing to get medical care despite the big number of health workers [at the hospital],” Harerimana said. He was speaking during celebrations to mark world Labour Day at Muhanga Regional stadium on Thursday.

Harerimana appealed to the district to renovate Muhanga market, saying "failure to renovate Muhanga market has caused commotion in the market and the traders cannot improve on the services if they still sell from outside.”

Another point of concern raised, by CESTRAR, was the increased numbers of idlers and street children who resort to criminal activities and cause insecurity. 

Addressing residents, the newly elected Mayor, Yvonne Mutakwasuku, promised to address the complaints raised by Harerimana. The Mayor said Kabgayi Hospital would be contacted over the matter and Muhanga market would be refurbished soon.

Mutakwasuku urged residents, especially women to reduce uncontrolled birth, an issue that attracted murmuring in the crowds.

She said: "It is always contentious to tell people to control birth, because of culture. However, in order to achieve development, it is important to at least produce three children who can be catered for using the few available resources.”

During the occasion, Kibangu sector was recognized as the best performing sector in rallying residents behind most government programmes.

At 92.2% of residents registered in health insurance, Kibangu emerged the winner. Other areas where the sector beat others include handling of all the 1,221 gacaca cases and leading in reconciling local tribunals.

The sector also scored highly in digging terraces on the hilly landscape in all villages and cells to combat soil erosion, officials said. It also beat others in implementing performance contracts.

MP Thomas Habimana, who was the chief guest, presented a certificate of merit and a cash prize to the sector leaders.

Other associations and cooperatives awarded for promoting job creation and economic transformation included, a youth cooperative of motorist (Cootravemomu), Mining and excavation cooperative (Kotumu), and an association of farmers (IABR) sponsored by German Agro Action.

Ends