PM calls for cooperation to improve healthcare

The Prime Minister, Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, yesterday urged the East African Community partner states to join forces in improvement of health care services within the region.Speaking at the opening of the the 4th annual EAC health and scientific conference in Kigali, Dr Habumuremyi said this would promote better management of health delivery systems and planning mechanisms to improve efficiency of health care services within the Partner States.“All the five EAC Partner States face similar challenges in terms of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially with regard to MDGs 4 and 5 for maternal and child health. We should, therefore, cooperate, share experiences and learn from one another to improve healthcare within the region,” he said. The Prime Minister urged participants to specifically explore areas of common concerns for all the EAC countries such as maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, quality of care and health systems among others.He added that Rwanda has attained the MDG4 and should, therefore, share experience with other EAC partner states who are still striving to achieve the MDG 4 ahead of the 2015 deadline.Jesca Eriyo, the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC in charge of productive and social sector, said participants would come up with recommendations designed to harmonise policies that will improve healthcare.Dr Agnes Binagwaho, the Minister of Health, also noted that even if Rwanda has made some noteworthy progress in the health sector such as achieving some of the health related MDGs, they will work closely with other member states.“We will continue sharing experiences with member states on what we have achieved and also learn from them while working together to improve health services within our countries,” she said.In order to achieve this, one of the strategies will be for each East African country to establish a centre of excellence for a particular disease they have expertise in treating. The 1st Annual EAC Health Ministers and Parliamentarians Forum on Health will be held as part of the proceedings of the 4th Annual East African Health and Scientific Conference.

National

PM calls for cooperation to improve healthcare