National

the number of health workers in the country has gradually increased  compared to previous years, according to available statistics.

According to Dr Jean de Dieu Ngirabega, the Director of Clinical Services, more than 80 percent of the population now lives within at least less than one hour from the health facilities, and 45,000 Community Health Workers have been spread across the country.

Currently, there is one medical doctor per 16,000 patients, one nurse per 1,291 patients and one midwife per 44,584 pregnant women.

In 2006, the doctor - patient ratio was one per 20,000, according to internet sources.

Much as there has been a remarkable increase in the number of health workers, improving the quantity and quality of health workers is one of the strategies the ministry is focusing on to improve health service provision.

“A Human Resource Strategic plan 2011-2016 has been prepared and is under implementation,” he said.

As part of the plan, a programme has been devised to bring in specialists from western countries to come and train their local counterparts.

He noted that their target is to have one medical doctor per 10,000 patients, one nurse per 1,000 and one midwife per 25,000 by 2017.

Ngirabega added that among other areas of focus to improve health service provision is geographical access through improving infrastructure, advancing customer care and financial access through the community health scheme, Mutuelle de Santé.

Regarding health insurance, the 2010 Demographic Health Survey shows that 78 percent of households have health insurance coverage, an increase from 68 percent in 2007-’08.

Contact email: maria.kaitesi[at]newtimes.co.rw