Residents of Bushara Cell in Karama Sector, Nyagatare District, are expressing frustration over a health post that was built to serve the local community but is currently no longer operational. The closure has made it difficult for residents to access basic and urgent healthcare services, forcing them to travel to Kabuga Health Center for treatment.
Health Post Once Provided Convenient Medical Care
Residents say the health post previously played an important role in providing nearby medical services. Patients with minor illnesses could receive treatment there, while those with more serious conditions were given first aid before being referred to a health center for further care.
The facility helped ensure that community members received prompt medical attention without having to travel long distances.
Residents Struggle to Access Healthcare
According to residents, the situation changed after healthcare workers assigned to the facility stopped operating there, leaving the health post inactive.
Scovia Mudakemwa said: “This health post is no longer functioning. It has become a major inconvenience because when someone fell sick, we could quickly bring them here since it was nearby. They would be examined, receive medication, and return home without much difficulty. Since services stopped, it has affected us greatly because we had become accustomed to receiving healthcare close to home. Now, when a child becomes sick at night, we have to carry them over a long distance to the health center.”
Community Calls for the Facility to Reopen
Residents are urging authorities to ensure that the health post resumes operations.
Simeo Mbarushimana said: “We want this health post, which was built for us, to serve its intended purpose rather than remain a decorative building. It should be staffed with healthcare workers and reopened. We have raised this issue with local leaders, but it has not yet been addressed. After the private operator stopped working there, a healthcare worker from the health center used to come twice a week, but that arrangement has also ended and the facility has been closed.”
Amos Munyurangabo echoed the same concerns: “The closure of this health post has greatly affected us. When it was operating, there were fewer patients, shorter queues, and people recovered faster because they received treatment promptly. Now we have to go to the health center where long queues are common. Sometimes you spend the entire day waiting and return home without being treated, which worsens your condition. We are requesting that this health post be reopened.”
District Authorities Cite Staff Shortages
The Vice Mayor of Nyagatare District in charge of Economic Development, Matsiko Gonzague, acknowledged the problem and attributed it to a shortage of healthcare personnel.
He explained that a healthcare worker from Kabuga Health Center had been temporarily assisting patients at the Bushara health post, but staffing shortages made it difficult to continue that arrangement.
He said: “A staff member from the health center had been helping residents at that health post. However, due to the shortage of healthcare workers, the service could not continue. We are discussing the issue with the Ministry of Health to find a solution. We will also engage with a private operator to see what support the district can provide so that services can resume at the facility.”
More Than 80 Health Posts in Nyagatare
The Bushara health post was initially operated by a private contractor who later withdrew, citing financial losses. Afterwards, a healthcare worker from Kabuga Health Center was assigned to provide services there, but this arrangement was eventually suspended because of staffing shortages at the health center itself.
According to district records, Nyagatare District currently has more than 80 health posts, including four upgraded health posts, 20 health centers, and two hospitals. Despite this network of healthcare facilities, residents of Bushara say the closure of their local health post continues to create significant challenges in accessing timely medical care.
