BY EDWARD K. MWESIGYE EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA: An official from Intra Health/Twubakane has predicted that child mortality rate will soon reduce due to the ongoing massive sensitisation campaign. Emile Sempebwa, who is in charge of programmes for Intra health/Twubakane is optimistic that the campaign would bring out positive attitude and commitment from all concerned people. Sempebwa was speaking after an 8-day training seminar on proper handling of pregnant women at AVEGA Centre in Rwamagana. “There are frequent deaths of producing mothers in reported in hospitals and health centres but we expect this kind of trainings to equip doctors and nurses to make a difference,” Sempebwa said. Sempebwa said research indicates that 750 out 100.000 Rwandan women die while giving birth. Rwanda is among the last 5 African countries that still have high child mortality rates and mothers who die while giving birth, he added. He disclosed that Intra health/Twubakane organised the training in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH). Sempebwa advised the trainees to pass on the knowledge acquired down to the community level. Dr. Avith Mutaganzwa, the Director General of Rwamagana Hospital said that similar trainings have been going on and a new item has been include to train to more health workers. Dr. Mutaganzwa warned traditional nurses and healers not to attempt to treat pregnant women from villages. One of the trainees, Dr. Valens Habimana, Director General of Gitwe Hospital and supervisor of 13 Health Centers in Ruhango District said that many women have been victims of poor services in the past. Susan Mukakabanda, an employee of Intrahealth who supervised the training said that 20 nurses and doctors Rwamagana, Kayonza, Kamonyi, Ruhango’ Nyamagabe, Nyanza, and Nyabihu districts attended. Intrahealth/Twubakane is a USaid-funded programme that operates in 12 districts of Kirehe, Ngoma, Kayonza, Rwamagana (in Eastern Province), Kicukiro, Gasabo, Nyarugenge (in Kigali City), Kamonyi, Muhanga, Ruhango, Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru in the Southern Province.
