In December 2012, RW completed construction on a fifth state-of-the-art health center in Nyarugenge sector, Bugesera District. This project was made possible with the generous support of the Pace Family Foundation, the Meyer Family Foundation, and the District of Bugesera. The new Nyarugenge health center serves over 22,000 people, and ensures that every sector in Bugesera district has a local health center.
Nyarugenge health center is comprised of two structures: a main building for health services and an external industrial kitchen with fuel-efficieint cookstoves for nutrition programming. The main structure has a central reception/waiting area and four wings housing consultation rooms, a laboratory, a stock and distribution pharmacy, a maternity wing, hospitalization rooms for men, women and children, HIV/AIDS services including ARV distribution and Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and administrative offices.
Outside of the main building, a 100m2 subterranean tank collects and holds rainwater, and a solar pump sends the water upwards into a raised holding tank for daily use. This solar-powered system enables the health center to save money on pumping and allow staff and patients to depend on a reliable water source throughout the year. Solar panels provide power to the health center. New hygienically safe push faucets at every water source are a simple but important intervention that help conserve water and reduce the spread of disease. An orchard of locally-grown, grafted fruit trees has been be planted on the premises, and the fruit will be used for nutrition demonstrations and programming.
Nyarugenge health center, like all RW-built facilities, will be owned, staffed, and equipped by the Government of Rwanda. Rwanda Works' key implementing partner, the Access Project, will provide hands-on coaching at Nyarugenge health center to build strong management practices and health systems.