Senate Summons Prime Minister Over Health Post Management Challenges

The Rwandan Senate has called upon Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente to address critical issues in the nation’s health post system, following a comprehensive nationwide assessment conducted by senators.

Senate’s Nationwide Health Post Assessment

The decision to summon the Prime Minister came after the Senate approved a report detailing findings from outreach activities conducted across all districts and Kigali City between January 21-30, 2025. This assessment aimed to evaluate progress in improving health post functionality across Rwanda.

Constitutional Basis for the Summons

The Senate’s action is grounded in Article 131 of the Rwandan Constitution, which empowers the legislative body to question the Prime Minister about government activities. The Prime Minister may respond personally when questions concern multiple ministries or the entire Cabinet.

Progress and Persistent Challenges

Notable Achievements

The Senate report highlighted several positive developments:

• Significant expansion of health posts from 670 in 2017 to 1,280 in 2024
• Reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates
• Improved healthcare-seeking behavior among citizens

Critical Issues Requiring Attention

Despite these achievements, the assessment revealed pressing concerns:

• Shortages of qualified healthcare staff
• Gaps in insurance coverage, particularly for ex-RAMA beneficiaries
• Aging infrastructure no longer meeting current needs
• Contractual complications affecting privately managed health centers

The Senate’s summons aims to address these systemic challenges through direct engagement with the Prime Minister and his cabinet.