Eleven years ago Polycliniqué Medicale la Providence opened doors as a medical private practise in Muhanga. Located in Gahogo Cell, Nyamabuye Sector in Muhanga District the polyclinic’s vision was to improve healthcare to the community.
Starting modestly as a clinic with the basic healthcare, more specialised services were added gradually and the facility upgraded until it was licensed by the ministry of health as a polyclinic.
The idea to start a medical facility was conceived by Pacifique Munezero, who heads it today together with her husband who is a medical doctor; they both worked in healthcare and dreamed of improving services in this sector.
“When we opened this facility there were almost no private practice in Muhanga, Kabgayi Hospital as the only such facility was kind of overwhelmed as compared to the population it served and health centres in its jurisdiction,” says Munezero.
She says they started slowly with a few services and as more were introduced patients increased and began to see their dream being realised because healthcare was improving and people in Muhanga were getting more options.
Today, the polyclinic has introduced more specialised services which are more sought after including internal medicine, gynaecology paediatrics, family medicine, dentistry, laboratory and hospitalisation.
This has also reduced pressure on Kabgayi as the only hospital in Muhanga where the community can now access more options while seeking healthcare services.
Polyclinique Medicale la Providence is in the process of introducing more services like maternity, plans are in advanced stages to have the service before end of the year. Maternity as one of the basic services that are sought after by the community, starting this section will supplement the district hospital and give access to all those who have been making long distance journeys to Kigali or Huye to seek medical services.
Munezero notes that they work closely with Kabgayi District Hospital in case patients require services that are not at the polyclinic and transfers to referral hospitals.
The development brought by Polyclinique Medicale la Providence has been recognised by different stakeholders and Muhanga District in particular which
it works with closely. They are partners in ensuring that healthcare is improved and the district authorities provide support in ensuring that the private sector has a conducive environment to operate.
“We are partners and whenever there is something we require from the district they are quick to support and also advice in different ways to improve our work,” observes Munezero.
Apart from providing improved healthcare, Polyclinique Medicale la Providence has been part of economic development of the community in Muhanga, for instance creating employment where about 32 work at the facility including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and administrative staff.
The head of the polyclinic observes that working alongside such a team is very important and satisfying experience. She appreciates the dedication of her team in delivering quality services that are invaluable to the community.
The work they do to improve healthcare also earns the workers a decent living which promotes their families.
Munezero emphasises on the efforts of the leadership in Rwanda that has made it possible to have a secure environment to operate. Rwanda has good governance and above all peace and security that have accelerated development.
She emphasizes that whenever there is a chance, she has to appreciate the leaders of the country who work tirelessly for Rwandans to have peace and stability providing a conducive environment to live and work.
