As part the celebration of its 20th anniversary, Imbuto Foundation has joined the Ministry of Health in activities to mark the Maternal and Child Health Week in series of events that were launched on Thursday, November 18 across 11 districts.
Activities, such as administering the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), provision of Vitamin A supplement, family planning services and screening for malnutrition, will be carried out during the 10-day period.
During the week, the Foundation in collaboration with stakeholders such as Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) will help to solve problems facing teen mothers in a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mobile clinic, by providing counselling and investigative and legal support.
"The Maternal Child Health week is in line with one of the core objectives of Imbuto Foundation. When we say the health of mother and child, we mean the family. Once this is threatened, the family too is under threat,” said Jackson Vugayabagabo, the Head of Knowledge Development and Dissemination Department at Imbuto Foundation.
"This week is an opportune time to deliver different services to the people who have not been able to get them from health centres.”
Vugayabagabo added that the Foundation’s 20th anniversary presents not only a moment of reflecting on the achievements of its objectives, but also an opportunity to appreciate the journey ahead in helping reduce problems such as maternal deaths and malnutrition in children.
Over ten days, services like child registration, nutritional advice for young mothers and nutritional status screening will be conducted in the districts of Nyanza, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Muhanga, Nyagatare, Nyaruguru, Kirehe, Burera, Gicumbi and Musanze.
"This week comes as a special period for us to provide different health services to mothers and children. Although the services are provided at hospitals and health centres, this allows for a catch-up for those who missed,” Dr. Oreste Tuganeyezu, the Director General of Gisenyi Hospital said.
For Clementine Bihoyiki, a mother of four, who received family planning services, the week gives a chance to parents to learn more how to improve their health as well as that of their children.
"The teachings they give us helps us understand what to do to maintain a healthy family,” Bihoyiki, a resident of Rubavu District, said.
Imbuto Foundation was founded in 2001 by First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
According to information from the Foundation, for the past two decades, they have grown "to embrace and manage programme portfolios aligned with government priorities in health, education as well as youth and women empowerment.”