Saruhembe Health Post- “A dream Come True”

Kirehe Wednesday 7, August 2019 – Chants and shouts of joy marked the official launch of Saruhembe health post in Saruhembe cell, Mahama sector in Kirehe district. The health post constructed by Society for Family Health-Rwanda is seen by residents as the dream come true, residents have been walking distances to access health services at Mahama health centre.

Leonelle Nishirimbere, a mother of six is one of the residents of Saruhembe cell that walked a long distance and a number of hours to access health care services  “I can’t believe that am coming here for treatment without spending a whole day walking to the health centre,” says Nishirimbere.

While officially opening the health post, Manasseh Gihana Wandera, the Executive Director SFH Rwanda said that the health post will have a health impact in the lives of people in Saruhembe cell and other neighboring cells. “Bringing health posts closer to people will help families and individuals to get health care services nearer to where they stay and encourages the culture of seeking early treatment and diagnosis,” he said.

Yohani Hategekimana, the in charge of Saruhembe health post said that they have been receiving high numbers of patients in the last month which indicates the need for the health post in the area. In a day, the health post receives between 30 to 50 people in a day.

Saruhembe which opened its doors a month ago is among the several health posts constructed by SFH Rwanda in collaboration with different partners in an effort to bring closer health care services to people mainly in the hard to reach areas thus improving Rwanda’s universal health coverage. Saruhembe health post was constructed in partnership with SC Johnson through a unique partnership with SFH Rwanda established in 2017 that includes availing and ensuring access to mosquito-borne disease preventive products, and behavior change communication.