Behavioral change, Family Planning and Quality of Service among Ministry of Health’s 2007 priorities
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday 12 December, 2006 held a Press Conference aimed at reflecting on achievements of the year 2006 and priorities of 2007.
To begin with, last year’s achievements emphasized mainly the strengthening of health services, prevention and quality service delivery. The strengthening of health services was marked by the increase in number of health infrastructures by the building of new ones and the rehabilitation of old ones. As a matter of a fact, two hospitals have been built (KIBAGABAGA and KIBIRIZI), two have been rehabilitated (RWINKWAVU and GITWE) and two others are under construction (MUNINI and KIREHE). Seven health centers have also been constructed (Ruramira, Rwimitereri, Rubona, Kirehe, Gatengerane, Muhambo and Byahi).
Health services have been facilitated in their everyday operations: 51 ambulances have been given to hospitals and health centers and 370 motorcycles to health centers. Every district hospital has got a car for supervision.
Health personnel have also been increased in number through the recruitment of 50 medical doctors, 135 A1 and 335 A2 level nurses in addition to other 362 A1 level support personnel.
Concerning prevention, 1,318,546 children, i.e., 95 % have been immunized against measles, tetanus, meningitis and this has been marked by the OSCAR award and 419.500 US dollars given to Rwanda for having vaccinated more than 20,975 children in addition to last year coverage.
In the fight against malaria, 1,364,897 mosquito nets have been distributed to children aged between 6 months and 5 years and 700,000 to pregnant women to prevent them from malaria. The Ministry has also introduced a new malaria preventive method by introducing insects that kill mosquito eggs.
During the last year, the Ministry of Health began a strategy of motivating the medical staff by remunerating them according to their performance known as the contractual approach, to encourage them to deliver quality service.
In order to maximize chances of accessing care for Rwandans, the Ministry of Health has given strength to insurance schemes so that even the most vulnerable may access needed care. In this regard the Ministry has paid subscription fees for 800 000 people, members of health insurance have been allowed to access care up to the hospital level through the pooling risk and the adherence rate has shifted from 44% in 2005 to 70% in 2006. HIV positive patients who are less privileged have also been helped to get antiretrovirals.
The pharmaceutical sector has also been revised in order to guarantee quality drugs to the patients. At the moment places where drugs are kept, sold or made have been inspected and are granted to work only those which have the Ministry of Health authorization.
Emphasis has been put on hygiene and as matter of fact, an environmental policy has been prepared, hotels and restaurants have been inspected and those in bad conditions were closed until they improve hygiene conditions. Every district has an A1 level hygiene official.
This year priorities include sensitization to behavior change, family planning, improving quality service delivery, sensitization to subscribe to health insurance, fighting epidemics, reduction of infant and maternal mortality and construction of health infrastructures.
