GTZ donates medical, IT kits worth Rwf 180m

NYARUGENGE-The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) over the weekend handed over medical and IT equipment worth €250,000 (Approx Rwf 182m) to five districts that work with the German organisation.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
L-R: Lisa Girrbach Health Sector coordinator of GTZ, Deputy Ambassador Frank Maier and Thaddee Kibamba, of Gicumbi District during the function. (Photo/ C. Kwizera).

NYARUGENGE - The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) over the weekend handed over medical and IT equipment worth €250,000 (Approx Rwf 182m) to five districts that work with the German organisation.

The equipment which included computers, photocopying machines, incubators, operation tables as well as vehicles for supervision and ambulances were handed over to district mayors by Germany’s deputy ambassador, Frank Maier at the GTZ health programme in Nyarugenge District.

The recipient districts which include; Huye, Nyaruguru, Gicumbi, Gisagara and Musanze were described by the GTZ Country Director Krischel as GTZ’s partners in the health sector.

"Support by the German Development Cooperation comprises interventions from different agencies commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is bundled in the Programme for Primary Health Care and HIV/AIDS Control,” said Maier.

GTZ is an international enterprise for sustainable development with world-wide operations. In Rwanda, the Non Governmental Orgnanisation has a long standing relationship with its partners in the health sector.

The health programme supports the overall strengthening of the health system in the country and promotes access to services and their acceptance.

According Krischel, the partnership between GTZ and Rwanda consists of three components which are health system development, sexual and reproductive health and human resource development in the health sector.

"German financial cooperation through the KfW Development Bank provides sector budget support and funds for the social marketing of contraceptives and bed nets as well as medical equipment for district hospitals and health posts,” commented the director.

He also revealed that Assistance for the training of medical doctors, district health officers and central health institutions is provided through the German Development Service (DED) and the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM).

Speaking to The New Times, Musanze Mayor, Celestin Karabayinga, commended GTZ saying that the equipment that his district received was going to be of much help, especially in coordinating health units in the district.

The GTZ district partnership programme compliments the technical assistance for the training of medical doctors in Rwandan teaching hospitals.

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