Delegates from Burundi have applauded RapidSMS program in Rwanda for saving lives through giving rapid information on child and mother health.
RwandaSMS is a SMS based system to provide a real time community based surveillance and alert system for maternal and child health.
Delegates from the Ministry of health and AIDS prevention control in Burundi on October 4th 2012 visited Ruhengeri Hospital on a study tour with an aim of improving maternal and child health.
Dr Dionise Nizigiyimana, permanent secretary in the ministry, cited out RapidSMS system as the best among other systems they were introduced to during the tour.
“This reveals the cause of death in children and mothers so that it is prevented next time,” he says.
Dr. Pio Uwiragiye, Acting Director of Ruhengeri Hospital asserted that in addition to using mobile telephones in giving information, the system aimed to find out the role of community health workers.
“They intend to know the participation of the health workers in giving first aid and sensitizing women to go for maternity checkups,” Dr. Uwiragiye adds.
Also, the delegation visited the ministry of health Rwanda to learn more on improving maternal and child health.
The Burundi officials follow Parliamentary Deputies of Burundi that toured different sectors of the country including Nkumba centre for ex soldiers.
