Companies in the private sector have been urged to be more proactive in making a contribution to the growth of the country’s health sector and this should be incorporated in their social corporate responsibility.

This call was made on Thursday, July 21, as representatives of major private companies in the country visited the just-completed Gishambashayo Health Post located in Gicumbi district.

The health post was built through collaboration between UNICEF Rwanda, Society for Family Health (SFH), SC Johnson, and the Private Sector Federation.

Organised by Unicef, the visit aimed at showcasing to the private sector what role they can play in advancing the country’s health sector.

The firms represented include Crystal Ventures Ltd, Sanlam, Cogebanque, Ngali Holdings, IHS Towers, Africa Medical Supplies LTD, Bank of Kigali, Sorwathe, I&M Bank, Wolfram Mining and Processing Company, among others.

Officials tour the newly constructed Gishambashayo Health Post located in Gicumbi district. Courtesy

In the quest to achieve universal health access in Rwanda, said Manasseh Gihana Wandera Executive Director of SFH, there’s need for as much help as possible from different entities, and not just government.

According to him, the private sector’s contribution, both in the establishment and equipment of second generation health posts across the country, would go a long way in improving the quality of life for Rwandans.

"The country has committed to deploying multiple health posts and health caregivers across the country, by establishing at least two to four community health workers per village, and having health posts within a short distance from citizens,” he said.

The posts will help in bringing healthcare close to citizens.

"But we not only need the private sector’s help in domestic resource mobilization, but also for proper equipment and capacity building for the caregivers,” he continued.

So far, in the country, there are 37 health posts of the second generation (with upgraded services such as maternity, laboratory, dental care, ophthalmology, and circumcision).

These are in addition to the over 1,000 health posts of first generation (with fewer services) and general health centres and hospitals. 

A clinical lab techniation during  a blood test at Gishambashayo Health Post in Gicumbi.

Services offered by these health posts are very essential in the mother-child care from the antenatal stage and even later during postnatal checkups, vaccines and so on, noted Julia Battle, chief of Nutrition and Health at UNICEF Rwanda. 

"We are committed to this cause as well, through ensuring that there's a proper transfer of knowledge and skills, services' monitoring, and any other requirement that we could facilitate," she said.

Those who toured the Gishambashayo health post also committed to advocate, participate in dialogue, and implement inclusive health policies at their respective areas of businesses.