The visiting high-level UN delegation consisting representatives of the governing boards of UN, last weekend visited Musanze District where they toured various projects supported by the UN. The delegation, in the country to assess the ground impact of One UN, met ex-combatants currently undergoing demobilization and reintegration training in Mutobo Camp. The group also toured Ruhengeri Hospital and the Hydro-Power project in Mutobo, Musanze district. Speaking to The New Times during the tour, Aurélien Agbénonci the UN Resident Coordinator, hailed the e-Health system where community health workers use SMS to gather and transmit data on pregnancy complications, children’s health, growth monitoring and deaths. “This is a flagship project in the country to fight maternal and child mortality and I hope this project will be extended throughout the country,” Agbénonci said. The Ministry of Health recently introduced the Rapid SMS, as a pilot project intended to facilitate health services for women and children using Community Health Workers (CHW), to gather and transfer information on the health of mothers and children. Dr. John Karach, the Director of Ruhengeri Hospital, said that rapid response was their biggest challenge. Agbénonci revealed that the group was impressed by what had been achieved in the area of good governance, empowerment of women and health sector. Ends
