Extension of health services to remote communities laudable

The launch of a boat ambulance, worth $500,000 (Rwf300 million), on Lake Kivu in Karongi District is a milestone in managing health emergency situations, especially in hard to reach areas. The boat is expected to save thousands of lives and reduce infant and maternal mortality on the Islands around Lake Kivu. This initiative will ease access to health facilities, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children that usually need urgent means of transport when in critical conditions.Because of this initiative, patients in critical conditions will be taken to nearby district hospitals for immediate attention in less than 30 minutes. This was not the case in the past.Communities that live on islands or hard to reach areas need such specialised services. The service should be spread out to areas facing similar challenges across the country. The Government should be lauded for offering the ambulance. Access to health is human right. However, this has not always been the case for many who may not access it in terms of affordability and those who can’t because of the long distance to the nearest health centre from where they stay.As government tries to ensure that every citizen has access to health, local leaders and individuals should supplement this effort. We still have cases where pregnant women prefer to deliver at home.In other cases, some patients unfortunately prefer to seek the help of traditional healers instead of going to hospitals or health centres. With such mindsets, government efforts towards ensuring health for all remain a challenge. This calls for concerted efforts to address the health challenges at hand.

Opinions

Extension of health services to remote communities laudable