Parliament acknowledges current efforts to manage the population dilemma but wants the problem to be given more focus, through better hands-on strategies.

Rwanda Network of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (RPRPD) briefed partners on the situation of family planning services.

Liberata Kayitesi, the RPRPD chairperson, highlighted the government’s achievements in poverty reduction, food security, education, health, providing national security and others, but warned that such achievements would be in vain if nothing is done to check the fast-growing population.

"If we continue to multiply fast, we will not be able to build health centres – if we can solve the problem of population, we will be able to solve all others – this calls for everyone’s participation,” Kayitesi said.

The meeting attended by several partners, among them, the Ministry of Health, USAID, UNFPA, Family Health International (FHI), made eight recommendations.

One is that parents should engage children and teach them about reproductive health.

Participants also recommended that the ministry collaborates with local authorities to help patients receive appropriate information and medical assistance, the establishment of special centres in the family planning program for the youth, especially targeting university and secondary school students.

MP Theobald Mporanyi, revealed that during a countrywide parliamentary tour , they were informed that over 400 girls had unwanted pregnancies in Simbi Sector, Huye District.

Rwanda’s population is currently estimated at over 11 million.

Ends