From our archives. Published on 01.04.2011. Dates, figures and circumstances refer to this historical account.
Background
Our children’s village is on an isolated hill. The original project report states that there was no health centre within twenty kilometres.
A health centre was therefore needed for the children, the staff living and working on site, and everyone living in the surrounding area.
The Rwandan government required a health centre to be built on the site. This was understandable given that we were caring for children. It also needed to serve the wider population within twenty kilometres, in an area described as densely populated, with little transport and frequent illness.
The centre’s activities
Rwanda’s national health policy defines a minimum package of activities for health centres: a common set of priority services designed to address basic health needs fairly and effectively, taking account of community needs and demand. This framework guides planning, and the decentralisation policy described in the report envisages a health centre in every sector.
Preventive care
- Premarital consultations.
- Antenatal and postnatal consultations.
- Post-abortion care.
- Vaccination.
- Epidemiological monitoring.
- Hygiene and sanitation.
Treatment
- Primary curative consultations (CPC).
- Clinical integrated management of childhood illness (PCIME).
- Chronic disease management.
- Comprehensive care for people living with HIV.
- Nutritional rehabilitation.
- Minor surgery and treatment.
- Laboratory and pharmacy services.
Health promotion
- Health information and education.
- Growth monitoring.
- Psychosocial support.
- Community health insurance.
- Community support.
Maternity care
Delivery and post-abortion care.