The absence of a health centre had long posed a significant challenge to the residents of the Shagasha Sector, where pregnant women and the sick had to endure arduous journeys to distant health facilities, often resulting in delayed or missed medical care. This harsh reality changed when Enabel, the Belgian development agency, partnered with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and Rusizi District to improve healthcare access for this underserved community.

Godberthe Icyimpaye, a 30-year-old resident of Shagasha village, recalls the difficult past: "Before having this health centre nearby, we were struggling to access healthcare services. We had to travel to Gihundwe or to Kadashya, and each trip costed us money for tickets, and when it rained, the journey became even more difficult."

The lack of a health facility in the area meant dangerous journeys for expectant mothers, risking both their lives and those of their unborn children. "A pregnant woman could give birth on the way, or she would endure four hours of long stretches on foot while weak, risking the lives of both mother and baby," laments Icyimpaye.

Recognising this pressing need, Enabel intervened by supporting the construction and Equipment of the Shagasha Health Centre. This initiative aimed to enhance early detection of pregnancy-related risks and complications, ultimately increasing healthcare access for the population of Shagasha—the only sector in Rusizi District without a health centreat the time.

The impact of this Belgium-Rwanda bilateral programme 2019-2024 in the health sector has been profound. Icyimpaye shared, "Things are looking up now. There haven't been any maternal deaths during childbirth in our community. Everyday health needs are met without exhausting journeys. We receive timely care, and visiting loved ones hospitalised here is now hassle-free."

The partnership has also resulted in the provision of an ambulance to a health centre that did not have one, and enhancement of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services and initiatives to combat drug addiction among youth, alongside expanding family planning uptake.

Rusizi District is pleased with its partnership with Enabel, which has led to significant achievements in the health sector. These accomplishments include but not limited to the renovation and construction of maternity wards and operating rooms in hospitals, as well as the refurbishment and equipping of health posts and Isange One Stop Centres for GBV case management. Additionally, the provision of ultrasound machines to all health centres has reduced unnecessary transfers of pregnant women to hospitals. 
 

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