{Residents of Nyabihu served by Nyakiriba Health Center in Rugera sector, have called upon government to rehabilitate access roads to the center saying the current dilapidated, slippery and pot-holed ones are a hurdle to accessing and consumption of medical services in the locale, with the area ambulance finding it difficult to take or collect critically ill patients from the facility to Shyira Hospital. }
Residents who talked to IGIHE, noted that the government has done much to improve welfare of residents through the provision of such facilities as electricity and health facilities, but lack of roads takes them way back in time since, quite often, they have to carry patients on traditionally made stretchers, endangering their .
Musabeyezu Josephine, in charge of maternal and child health says the situation becomes more complicated when it comes to transferring pregnant women Shyira Hospital, some of who might have developed complications. “It requires calling people to carry the patient in a litter which also delays medical administration from the referred hospital,” explains Musebeyezu.
Ndazigaruye Boniface, also a resident of the area, says it’s difficult to summon nurses in times of emergencies or when the number of patients is overwhelming because of the poor state of roads in the sector. “Our homes and facilities have been connected with electricity, but what we need now are good roads to allow us easy access to health services and market our farm produce without much ado,” emphasizes Ndazigaruye.
Nyiramahirwe Claudine, the deputy director of Nyakiriba Health Center argues that lack of the good roads linking the center to Shyira Hospital present big hurdles to the residents and stalls efficiency in service delivery. “Drugs are sometimes brought to the facility in sacks rendering them susceptible to sun rays and going bad, while milk meant to be served to children suffering from malnutrition sometimes goes sour thus aggravating bad situations further,” laments Nyiramahirwe adding that building good accessible roads can reduce maternal and child mortality in the locality.
Deputy Mayor finance and economic development Nyabihu district, Mukaminani Angella says she recognizes the complexities of the issue and construction of a new 28km— Rwankeri-Gatovu-Nyakiriba-Nyakinama has started. The road under construction is expected to be carried out in three phases and, on completion, will connect Nyakiriba Health Center to Musanze hospital.
The health center receives roughly 40 patients from Rugera, Rurembo and Kintobo sectors
Leave a Reply