Residents in Sake, Zaza, Mugesera and Rukumberi sectors in Ngoma District have called on the government to build a hospital in the area so as not to travel long distances to Kibungo referral hospital.

"It is more than 20, or even 30 km, from here to Kibungo referral hospital, we have had challenges mainly when asked to transport ourselves in case of a medical transfer to Kibungo referral hospital. It is a long distance from our homes,” Violet Muteteri, a resident of Ngoma said.

Muteteri added that sometimes residents fail to get money to transport them to Kibungo referral hospital, something that jeopardises their health.

Samuel Nsengiyumva, a resident of Mugesera sector said getting an ambulance to Kibungo referral hospital is difficult yet transport to the hospital is Rwf 5000 which most residents can’t afford.

Nathalie Niyonagira, the Mayor of Ngoma district urged residents to be patient adding that district officials are in talks with the Catholic Church to find ways of building a hospital in the district.

"We understand their concerns but it is not good for them to self-medicate because the Government has built health centers in many areas and are accessible to ambulances that facilitate the transfers to Kibungo hospital. The district is also in discussions with the Catholic church to build a hospital, ” Niyonagira said.

Sources reveal that between 3-5 hectares of land have been availed by the Catholic Church, which also runs Sake health center, in support of the Government’s efforts to extend health services to Rwandans including Ngoma’s more than 330,000 residents.

So far Kibungo referral hospital receives more than 150 patients on a daily basis and serves more than 7000 on a monthly basis.