Global Reach

Rwanda

Rwanda (the Republic of Rwanda) is a landlocked country that sits just south of the equator in Central Africa. Approximately 38% of Rwanda’s population of 13.7 million is under the age of 15 years old.

According to the Rwanda DHS, 17.1% of live births were delivered by cesarean section, and 10.1% of those deliveries were decided on after the onset of labor pains.

Our Work in Rwanda

The EngenderHealth-led MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project worked with partners in 20 districts in all five provinces of Rwanda. A total of 7.15 million people live in the supported areas. MOMENTUM Safe Surgery partnered with Rwanda’s national and local governments, technical resource groups, professional associations, and health workers to strengthen surgical safety by scaling up proven practices, supporting safe and appropriate cesarean delivery, peripartum hysterectomy, as well as expanding access to high-quality surgical services for voluntary, long-acting and permanent methods of contraception.

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery’s work in Rwanda focused on strengthening the provider capacity via clinical mentorships, team supportive supervision involving gynecologists, midwives, and anesthetists, and clinician training on hemostatic peripartum hysterectomy, anesthesia provision, family planning, and family-centered care. The project team developed hemostatic hysterectomy training materials, national fistula management guidelines and protocols, and a family-centered care training guide, all finalized and presented to the National Safe Motherhood technical working group. Additionally, MOMENTUM supported health facilities to conduct follow-ups with pregnant women who had previously undergone cesarean delivery and/or who have hypertension identified during antenatal care. This innovative approach increased the number of high-risk women who are able to prepare a birth plan in advance and be connected with care to ensure safe delivery.

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery collaborated with the Ministry of Health to train and mentor healthcare providers at public and faith-based facilities and strengthen their capacity to provide high-quality healthcare. Collaboration with the Ministry of Health also included outreach activities to increase access to long-acting reversible contraception and permanent contraceptive methods. As part of the larger MOMENTUM suite, our aim was to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities with the ultimate goal of accelerating the reduction of maternal, newborn, and child death and disability.