The Rwanda Ministry of Health is testing whether community-based management for Covid-19 is feasible in the country, with the possibility of using it to manage the pandemic.
“It is a plan. We know that at one point we may be implementing it. We are at the stage of piloting the model in different districts to see how feasible it is, its requirements and how they can be met,” said the minister of health Dr. Daniel Ngamije
“Some countries have already tried implementing home-based management of Covid-19. We think about it and we are planning accordingly,” he added.
According to Dr. Ngamije, if the system is to be used, the government will equip Community Health Workers (CHWs) with skills and the necessary protective equipment so that they can safely go about the business dealing with the pandemic.
The Minister expressed confidence in what the health workers can do, reiterating that they are used to intervening at community levels where they carry out different activities
As of Monday, August 10, Rwanda had slightly over 2000 confirmed cases (of which only 753 are active), there have not been reports of the country’s healthcare system being stressed by the pandemic; however local medics are planning ahead in case the situation changes.
Kenya is using home-based management to ease the burden of excess patients admitted in hospitals, creating room for patients who need critical care.
