Access to child and maternal healthcare in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District has steadily increased following a vigorous campaign by Kigufi Health Centre. The remote Sector borders Lake Kivu. Jacques Nyarugabo, the head of the community based health workers (CBHWs) at the centre, said at least three health workers had been deployed in each of the 48 villages in the sector to sensitise the people about the importance of having child deliveries from health facilities. “After we acquired a fully fledged maternity wing at the health centre, we now record between 70 and 80 births per month compared to 40 about two years ago,” noted Agatha Nyiramakwikwi, the head of maternity department at the centre. The wing was established with the support of the Global Fund. She said the number of pre and post natal consultations had also significantly increased. Nyarugabo attributed the improvement to the introduction of a mobile phone application by the ministry called Rapid SMS which automatically notifies a community based health worker about the date a particular pregnant mother in their area is supposed to report back to the health centre for follow up, who in turn reminds the patient, hence the timely reporting. “Women in their last two months of pregnancy are monitored on a daily basis by our CBHWs, to avoid any emergencies,” he noted. Augustine Karangwa, the head of community based health insurance at the centre, said there is a boat ambulance on the nearby Lake Kivu, which swiftly picks those in labour pains and any other patients in critical condition from nearby areas to the health centre. Pierrette Ishema, the head of the family planning unit, said they also involve community based health workers in administering contraceptives. “We also take advantage of vaccination campaigns by the ministry, to not only sensitise about the importance of family planning but also administer to interested people,” Ishema said. Nyiramakwikwi noted that about 80 per cent of patients in her department have health insurance, making it easier for them to receive healthcare.
