A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has hailed Rwanda’s dramatic improvement in child health care over the last ten years. The biennial country office report, released last week, cites lower infant mortality rates and high immunisation coverage, among others, as some of areas where the country has registered enormous improvement in the health sector. For those who have been following Rwanda’s development journey over the last 20 years, the country’s performance in health care provision is well documented. The country has won several accolades over the years for its efforts in health care development. The latest findings are just another stride to the long journey the country has travelled towards reaching the 2018 target of 42 deaths per 1000 live births. The infant mortality rate in the country has dropped from 86 deaths per 1000 live births in 2005 to 50 deaths per 1000 live births today. The country is on track to achieve universal health coverage, with 91 per cent of the population covered under community based health insurance by 2010, an increase from 71 per cent in 2005 However, this achievement is plausible, we still need to do more as a country to consolidate these gains and to do even better. The Health Ministry and other stake holders must keep the fire burning by ensuring better education and access to health services and increased sensitisation through the community health workers and the mass media. The achievements in health are a solid foundation for a better future for the country. A healthy population translates into a productive workforce which, in turn, leads to economic development and growth.
