By Francis Byaruhanga;
The Belgian development cooperation in Rwanda, Enabel in collaboration with Nyarugenge district conducted its first-ever media tour aimed at raising awareness of the development activities implemented under the Barame project.
The barame project is one of the health sector interventions financed by Enabel (Belgian development agency) through the bilateral cooperation between the Federal Government of Belgium and the Government of Rwanda.
The project is implemented in seven districts across Rwanda and pays attention to the needs of adolescents, neonates, children under five, men and pregnant women.
According to figures, almost 274,426 beneficiaries in Nyarugenge district have benefited from the project since 2020.
Speaking to the press, Hasan Sibomana, Division Manager, Maternal, Child and Community Health at Rwanda Biomedical Centre said the government among other things is seeking a partnership with the Belgian agency on the activities related to curbing down an alarming demographic growth through implementations of family planning.
“We are looking forward at curbing population growth through family planning,” he said.
“However, we will also look at the problem of teenage pregnancies and building capacity for doctors and insufficient medical equipment,” he added.
Benedicte Briot, the International Technical Advisor, working on the Barame Project said that, Enabel is discussing with the government on new development portfolio to support after the Barame project comes to an end in 2024.
“Enable will continue working for other sensitive target areas within five years because there are challenges of teenage pregnancies and sexual health and Reproductive Health,” she said.
Julienne Kayitesi, a mother residing in Nyamirambo sector narrated the challenges they went through before the district provided them with Rugarama Health Center, one of the medical facilities Enabel financed to construct its maternity ward.
“We used to give birth in congested facilities but now we are enjoying the spacious maternity ward at Rugarama HC.” She said.
With the support of Enabel, Barame project has developed and implemented strategies that focus on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Households access to health care” since July 2020.
Meanwhile, the media tour covered Nyarugenge district hospital, Rugarama Health Center, Nyaruyenzi Medicalized Health Center and Muhima district hospital and Club RAFIKI, a youthful center that raises awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy prevention.
A total of €18 million (Rwf 25.4 billion) was earmarked on sponsorship of Enabel to finance and implement the Barame project in the Nyarugenge district.