Residents across Rwanda have expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts in bringing healthcare services closer to their communities through primary healthcare centers. However, they have also called for improvements in the services offered at these facilities.
During a recent engagement with Senators, residents highlighted two key issues. They requested an expansion of medical services available at primary healthcare centers to better address their needs. Additionally, they urged for all health insurance schemes to be accepted at these centers to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.
This dialogue came as part of a Senate initiative to assess the state of primary healthcare centers across all districts, including Kigali City. The Senators are scheduled to visit 60 healthcare centers between January 21 and 30, 2025, to evaluate their operations and identify areas for improvement.
The Senate’s mission follows a presentation by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, on January 16, 2025, which focused on the implementation of Rwanda’s health policies. The Minister outlined progress in strengthening primary healthcare, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement.
Speaking about the initiative, Senate President Dr. François Kalinda commended the government’s achievements in expanding access to healthcare. “The Senate appreciates the strides made by the Government of Rwanda in strengthening primary healthcare centers. While significant progress has been made in bringing health services closer to the people, challenges persist. This exercise will allow the Senate to assess these issues and provide recommendations to enhance service delivery,” he said.
The Senators will engage with local leaders, healthcare workers, and community health advisors to better understand the challenges facing primary healthcare centers. This will include discussions with residents in villages served by these facilities.
The findings from this assessment are expected to inform strategies to improve service delivery and ensure that primary healthcare centers meet the needs of all Rwandans effectively.
