Focus Media (Kigali)
Sam Ruburika
12 October 2008
Out of a 1,000 childbirths in our country, nearly 8 result in the death of the mother; yet most of these tragedies could be avoided. In order to do so, Rwanda is to set up its chapter of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
The White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) for Safe Motherhood is an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and child birth safe for all women, all over the world.
During an advocacy meeting in preparation of the official launch of the WRA Rwanda, organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as well as the British department for international department (DFID), Minister Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo said that the initiative was important in reducing maternal death.
"In recent years we have made huge progress in reducing maternal mortality, yet more needs to be done," he said, calling upon individuals and institutions to join forces towards achieving even more advancement in reducing maternal mortality.
The Minister pointed out that the government has put in place clear policies concerning family planning as well as reduction of maternal mortality. Furthermore, he said that people's perceptions have to change, among parents concerning the importance of regular visits to the health centers, and among health staff on offering quality care and service to pregnant women.
In addition, sensitization of men on the importance of regular checkups for pregnant women as well as on giving birth at hospitals or health centers would also help reduce child mortality, Minister Ntawukuriryayo remarked. Improved sexual education, especially for girls, is another important component in the awareness campaign.
The Health Minister recognized that, apart from sensitization, there should also be an improvement in health services, by providing better staff and equipment. "It is not only a matter of increasing the numbers of health workers, but also to make sure that Rwandan women are served well," he said.
Grassroots
It is estimated that in Rwanda, one woman dies every three hours because of pregnancy related problems. This puts the country among sub-Saharan countries with the highest rate of maternal mortality.
The White Ribbon Alliance aims to reduce maternal mortality as well as getting the world on track to meet millennium development goal five, MDG5, which means reducing maternal mortality by 75% by 2015.
According to the UNFPA country representative, Therese Zeba, the process of curbing maternal mortality should involve all Rwandans, starting from the grassroots levels where actions should be enforced.
She pointed out that the number of women and children dying during birth were still high, with an estimated 750 out of 100,000 women not surviving childbirth.
"We have to stand up and say: it is enough," Zeba said, adding that new and better strategies to combat maternal mortality are required if the country is to achieve its vision.
Asked about such strategies, the UNFPA country representative said they would focus on creating awareness at the grassroots and combat lack of knowledge on maternal mortality at the community level. She further pointed out that this would require the government to increase its health budget.
Concerning the viability of the White Ribbon Alliance in the country, she replied that it has worked elsewhere in Africa, and therefore would also work in Rwanda.
"I have no doubt that the White Ribbon Alliance will grow and prosper here, for the good of Rwandan women," Therese Zeba said.
Sandra Pepera of DFID also commented on the importance of the White Ribbon Alliance, saying that it would bring the best energies of government, development agencies, the private sector, individuals as well as the civil society together to save lives and support families.
The official launch of WRA Rwanda will take place on October 13.
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