WB commends govt’s health programmes

KAMONYI – Rwanda leads other African countries in scaling up the dissemination of health programmes, a World Bank senior health specialist, Dr. Guuri Fritsche said on Tuesday. Dr. Guuri made the remarks during a function to award 159 mothers in Nyarubaka sector, Kamonyi district who fulfilled the recommended guidelines of getting antenatal and postnatal care, family planning and giving birth at health centres. “Rwanda has set an outstanding example in Africa, in scaling up access to health services, which are both demand and supply driven, unlike in other countries,” Guuri said. “The participation of residents is very effective and this is as an example to other countries. The World Bank is proud to be associated with such initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Rwandans.” The mothers received rewards which included; diapers, soap, umbrellas and towels among others for embracing the health programmes. An official of the Health Ministry, Anicet Nzabonimpa, urged the residents to increase the participation in such programmes for healthy living. He revealed that the ministry has set aside about Rwf372million for the purpose of rewarding and encouraging pregnant mothers across the country to attend and to embrace health initiatives. “We expect many more mothers to take up this example for the purposes of checking child mortality rates,” Nzabonimpa stated. The Mayor of Kamonyi, Jacques Rutsinga revealed that health activities targeting children and mothers in the district stand at 35% and the target is to reach 80%. He also commended Nyarubaka sector leaders for leading in community development efforts. One beneficiary, Margarita Nikuze, thanked the government for the continuous extension of health services to residents, noting that most diseases have been controlled and child health had improved unlike in the past. Ends