After the expansion of Rutake Health Center to include a maternity ward, mothers say they no longer struggle to travel far to give birth. The addition has also helped reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Some residents of Janja Sector in Gakenke District say that before the maternity ward was added to Rutake Health Center, they had to travel long distances to get medical care, which was expensive and sometimes led to the loss of lives,either mothers or their babies.
Mukamusoni Dativa shared her experience:
“We used to go to give birth at Nemba or Mataba hospitals, which required a long and exhausting journey. Now we are relieved. If a woman went into labor at night, it was very difficult to get her to the hospital, especially because this area is mountainous. Even getting an ambulance to come was nearly impossible. Some mothers died during childbirth or lost their babies.”
She added that with the addition of the maternity ward at Rutake Health Center, these issues have been resolved.
“Now mothers arrive in time, receive proper care, and give birth safely, reducing the risk of death for both mother and child.”
Nyiransabimana Joseline, a 49-year-old resident of Janja, echoed the same sentiment:
“We used to give birth in places like Rusoro or Shyira, and it was really tough. At that time, even community health workers hadn’t reached us. But now we appreciate the Unity Government for bringing health services closer to us.”
Jean Pierre Harerimana, the Director of Rutake Health Center, noted that in the past, pregnant women waiting to give birth were placed in the same rooms as patients with malaria or other diseases.
“Before the expansion, expectant mothers had to share space with other patients, but now we’re happy that the facility was expanded. Mothers now have a separate area where they can be monitored without being mixed with other patients.”
He added that despite the expansion, the center still lacks sufficient medical equipment and staff, and he called on Gakenke District authorities to provide more support.
The Mayor of Gakenke District, Mukandayisenga Vestine, stated that bringing health services closer to citizens contributes to development and improved livelihoods.
“When health services are nearby, people can achieve sustainable development and well-being because the time and money they used to spend traveling for care can now be used to improve their lives.”
She further said that the issue of limited equipment at Rutake Health Center would be addressed in the current fiscal year’s budget.
Rutake Health Center serves 8,056 residents from the Karukungu and Gashyamba cells in Janja Sector. The facility can accommodate 25 inpatients, and the maternity ward can host between 8 to 10 mothers.
