Community based efforts a boon to combating diseases in villages

GICUMBI - The health sensitisation campaigns carried out by community health workers have greatly contributed to the reduction of diseases among adults and children, in Gicumbi District. Talking to The New Times yesterday, the District Director of Health, Thadee Kibamba, said the community mobilisers have played a big role in enlightening residents on sanitation which has reduced preventable diseases. Jack Tuyishime Roger, the head of Muhondo Health Center in Kageyo Sector said nutritional deficiency in children and worms among adults have also reduced. He attributed reduction in diseases to timely medication as most residents have health insurance. “Over 95 percent of residents of Kageyo Sector are registered under universal grassroots health insurance,” he said. The Kageyo Sector Executive Secretary, Pierre Damien Sharangabo said the sector organises regular training workshops for the health workers in order to empower them to handle different health challenges. “There are two health workers in every village, who have been equipped with training in administering first aid to patients and offering counseling services to residents,” Sharangabo said. The head of Byumba Health Center Theodette Kayitesi said the common diseases handled at the health facility include respiratory infections, malaria and amoeba. Ends