The Government of Rwanda in collaboration with various partners has launched the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Week integrating with a Measles and Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign starting from June 3 to June 7, 2024.
The integrated MCH Week aims to increase Population Immunity by vaccinating children aged 9 months to 6 years against measles and rubella, particularly in 19 districts identified through the WHO-CDC Measles risk assessment tool ; provide Essential Health Services including deworming, vitamin a supplementation, micronutrient powders (Ongera), and family planning services ; and raise Awareness: On effective maternal and child health practices, nutrition, sanitation, and the importance of routine immunizations.
Rwanda continues to make significant strides in improving maternal and child health. However, the figures indicate that more needs to be done. The Demographic Health Survey 2019-2020 highlighted ongoing challenges, including high neonatal mortality (19 per 1,000 live births), high infant mortality (33 per 1,000 live births), and high under-five mortality (50 per 1,000 live births). The maternal mortality rate remains at 203 per 100,000 live births, and the rates of anemia and stunting among children and women are still concerning.
This year’s MCH Week was launched in Burera district featuring a comprehensive range of health interventions including vaccination targeting 1,222,298 children aged 9 months to 6 years in selected districts, nutritional support, education on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and provision of essential nutrients.
The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Valentine Uwamariya speaking at the MCH kickoff event held in Burera district said the family is foundational to the wellbeing of the nation noting that some community members are acutely affected by malnutrition.
Her remarks embarked on the necessity of parental care deserving for proper upbringing of a healthier child.
“The proper feeding and school feeding programs have been initiated but still we have a journey to move. We are still seeing the children and mothers dying in their infancy due to the lack of enough attention from their caregivers,” she noted.
She echoes the reality that alcohol is the main trigger of the persisting malnourishment among children whereby the family conflicts are instigated as the end result advising that “it is unworthy to indulge in heavy drinking and alcoholism and forget to feed the family”.
“This week is an opportunity for the parents to change their destructive lifestyles and cooperate with each other so as to protect the welfare of the family and the nation at large,” she noted.
On another hand, the Mayor of Burera district, Soline Mukamana said the pregnant mothers are required to take proper feeding right away from the time of conception.
The mayor sensitizes the pregnant mothers to cater for the child in the first two years that are counted right away from the time of conception.
“The pregnant mothers are advised to have the medical check-up 8 times so that the child is protected before and after conception,” she said.
Despite the figures of malnourished children having dropped from 41.6% to 30.4% this year, Burera is still one of the districts that is highly affected by malnutrition in the country.
By combining vaccination efforts with broader maternal and child health services, Rwanda is committed to achieving a high level of population immunity and enhancing health outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. This initiative underscores Rwanda’s dedication to providing comprehensive healthcare and ensuring that every child and mother in Rwanda has access to the essential health services they need to thrive. (End)