Shortage of competent healthcare providers (HCP) and lack of sufficient continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities are some of the factors that contribute to the high mortality and morbidity of women and newborns in low-income countries. To address these challenges in Rwanda, The Ministry of Health through the Rwanda Biomedical Center in partnership with UNFPA and other partners, adopted the mentorship approach in 2016, to further strengthen the healthcare system, in order to make adequate preparation for Health Care Providers with practical skill enhancement through on-site mentorship provided by experienced professionals.
The mentorship program has been identified as an approach that could help build capacity, improve the provision of care and accelerate the reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Along that line, the mentorship program has improved practical skills that help Family Planning care providers to deliver the services.
“Since 2016 when this program started, there have been so many positive changes, especially in the provision of Family Planning services, which are now provided at the health centres by a dedicated health provider and are available for everyone who needs them,” Said Mukakabanda Suzanne, Family Planning Quality Of Care Specialist / USAID Ingobyi Activity/Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
Family Planning mentors not only perceived this model as a step in the right direction to address human resource issues in the Rwandan health system, but they also observed improvements in provider confidence. Mentors became a trusted resource for peers in facilities and the mentorship approach contributed to collaboration and teamwork.
Nikuze Marie Goreth, a nurse at Karengera Health centre in charge of Family Planning and ASRH, serves as a mentor in Nyamasheke District health centres.
“Through the mentorship program, I was able to transfer the knowledge and skills I acquired to all my co-workers within a period of two years. Currently, nine Health Care Providers working at the Health Facilities in Nyamasheke are able to provide all Family Planning services” She said.
Nikuze added that the mentorship program improved the service delivery in Karengera Health Center to the extent that in 2021, the health centre exceeded its family planning target by more than 60% by November 2021 compared to the annual target which was 54.6%.
Chantal Musabemariya has been working as a nurse at Cyivugiza Health centre, Nyamasheke district in the Western province of Rwanda, since 2018. For her, the mentorship program is an opportunity to learn and it reminds her about how to perform well her duties and responsibilities.
“ The Mentorship program is very important. It makes our mission more effective and it provides a place and opportunity to grow professionally” She said
Before the introduction of the mentorship program, district hospitals were struggling to absorb the number of referrals from health centres but with district-based mentors regularly visiting health centres in their respective catchment areas, they strengthened provider competence to manage cases at the health centre and ensure clients receive appropriate pre-referral treatment before reaching district hospitals.
Positive changes in communication and referrals between hospitals and health centres are observed thanks to the mentorship program
“After giving birth to my first child, I was advised to use Family Planning services but the method of my choice could not be provided to me at the health centre, I was referred to the Hospital which was a bit far from my home. I had to wait a few weeks to be able to plan to get there” said Nyirahagenimana Martha, a 32 years old woman from Nyamasheke District, Western province.
“Today, things have changed, all family planning methods are provided at the health centre, thus we no longer have to travel to the hospital to get them.” She added.
“In its provisional FP2030 Commitment, Rwanda committed to improving access to quality Family Planning services by increasing the number of Family Planning service delivery points and a number of skilled healthcare providers. Family planning clinical mentorship is now introduced in all districts.” Stated Mukakabanda Suzanne, Family Planning Quality of Care Specialist /USAID Ingobyi Activity/ Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
“We are very grateful to the partners who contributed to the development of the mentorship program. It has improved the quality of care at health centres as well as the data collection in maternal, child, adolescent, and community programs and the family planning program in particular at the national level.” Mukakabanda added.
