The expansion of primary health care
creates new jobs in Rwanda

In recent years, Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding its health system. Both the quality of medical care and access to health insurance have improved greatly. But pressure on the health system will remain high. Rwanda’s population is expected to increase to more than 14 million people by 2027. This would correspond to a growth of 40 percent within 15 years. Since 2011, the Ministry of Health has been working to establish so-called Health Posts throughout the country. The facilities are under the supervision of the state Health Centres and intended to ensure a basic level of medical services for the population living in the surrounding areas. This includes vaccinations, curative treatments and therapies, prenatal care, and laboratory tests. Most second-generation Health Posts also offer dental services and support for patients with diabetes and heart diseases.

The Health Posts offer a first point of contact for all health-related questions. Citizens can get advice there on family planning issues, and regular health checks can be carried out for children up to the age of five. The government relies specifically on cooperation with private and civil society organisations for the establishment and operation of the Health Posts. It is a key objective that citizens should not have to walk for more than 30 minutes to reach a Health Post.

The NGO Society for Family Health (SFH), founded in 2012, will build, equip and operate 80 new Second-Generation Health Posts in 12 districts of the country, and will buy seven ambulances. If patients need to be hospitalised, the ambulance cars will be used for rapid transfer. The investment was made possible by a grant agreement signed in 2022 with the Facility Investing for Employment.

The project is being carried out in close cooperation with the Rwandan Ministry of Health. A single Health Post is designed to provide basic medical care for 5,000 to 7,000 people and can treat up to 120 patients daily. The single-storey buildings are largely standardised. On 200 square meters of floor space, they include, among other things, two consultation rooms, a small laboratory, observation and treatment rooms as well as a storeroom for medical supplies. Sanitary facilities and a waiting area for up to 60 people are located outside.