History of Maternal/Child Health

In June of 2008, the obstetrics and pediatric team was a part of the fact-finding mission of our first UJAMAA visit to Rwanda. The team helped in the delivery of babies in Kibagabaga Hospital (a health district hospital in Kigali, Rwanda), taught complicated delivery and neonatal resuscitation, assisted in gynecologic and Cesarean surgeries, and consulted regarding high risk pregnancies and neonates. On our return visit in March of 2009, we were able to teach over 60 nurses in the rural health clinics and 40 doctors and nurses in Kigali. Nine thousand dollars of clinic supplies was donated to these rural clinics and hospitals and instruction in the use of this equipment was completed. Equipment included oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, fetoscopes and other requested supplies.

The UJAMAA Medical Connections Board has agreed that the UJAMAA/ maternal child project should focus on teaching and support not only of the doctors in Rwanda but also nurses who provide the bulk of prenatal care, perform most of the deliveries and postpartum and newborn care. This is primarily done in the rural health clinics. HDI (Health Development Initiative-Rwanda) has chosen to focus on the poorest health district in Rwanda, the Bugasera District. A grant has been written by HDI to address these issues, MAMA na MTOTO. A UJAMAA team will be returning in December of 2009 to continue teaching nurses and midwives in the Bugasera District.

In the spring of 2009, during a visit by 2 Rwandan doctors (see UJAMAA History) two ideas were discussed to better support rural medical care. These two ideas have been developed through discussions in Rwanda by HDI and with the UJAMAA team. The two proposals are:

  1. A mobile clinic: HDI is developing a proposal to purchase a Toyota van equipped with a diagnostic lab, portable XRay and ultrasound machine. Its purpose would be to visit the villages on a scheduled basis to provide public health and community education, do diagnostic labs, screening and testing. It could also be used for non-emergent patient transport. The goal is to pursue the purchase and equip a van by the end of 2010 through donations and grants.
  2. A model clinic: The concept of a health clinic that is built "from the ground up" with appropriate standards, protocols and quality assurance in place was first discussed by HDI with UJAMAA in March 2009. The vision is to start with a clinic and staff trained initially in this model clinic, and once that is established, to gradually add different departments with training and consultation in excellence and quality care. This clinic would ultimately become a hospital.


Three possible land sites have been identified for the clinic, all close to the new airport, with water, electricity and transportation. The approximate cost is $20,000 for 10 acres. The cost of building this structure is estimated at $250,000. The plan has the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry has agreed to fund the staffing.