WESTERN PROVINCE RUBAVU — Government has earmarked $5m (about Frw2.8b) towards the rehabilitation of Gisenyi Hospital. This was disclosed by the Minister of health Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo while inspecting the hospital’s maternity ward which was recently rehabilitated by the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF). He said the money would be raised through partnership with donors from Australia. He hailed UNICEF for the support in the rehabilitation of the hospital. The minister explained that rehabilitating the old hospital, constructed during the colonial period, was important since it provides services to a big number of patients from across the Western Province. “We are planning to renovate this hospital to modern standards. The Australian government has pledged over $5m to the effect,” he explained. He called upon Rubavu district authorities to take the rehabilitation and maintenance of the hospital as one of their responsibilities to ensure good services to the people. “The district should also try to look for other donors to contribute to the rehabilitation of the hospital,” he added. Dr Nkunga Tharicisse, the hospital medical administrator, also thanked UNICEF for the support and promised the hospital authorities will do every thing possible to maintain the newly acquired facility. “This is a great contribution to the hospital,” he said. “We have in the past faced a problem of lack of enough equipment especially in the maternity ward. The new equipment will provide better and modern services to the people in the region.” Joseph Fundi, the UNICEF country coordinator reaffirmed their commitment to improve the children’s welfare. This, he said, explains why they committed over Frw28m to rehabilitate the maternity ward. “The Maternity ward was in poor condition with limited equipment, which could in one way or another endanger lives of the new born babies and their mothers. We hope the new facility will greatly improve the services,” Fundi said. Ends
