The Ministry of Health has announced that beneficiaries of the Rwandaise d’Assurance Maladie (RAMA) will soon be able to receive medical services at primary health posts (postes de santé), starting with an initial pilot phase in 15 facilities across the country.
The announcement was made on October 15, 2025, by Dr. Ivan Butera, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, while addressing members of the Senate.
Dr. Butera explained that although the program will begin with 15 health posts, the long-term goal is to extend this service to all such facilities nationwide.
“Even though we are starting with only 15 health posts, the plan is to roll it out across the entire country,” he said.
Currently, Rwanda has 1,294 primary health posts, which serve around four million citizens.
The minister emphasized that the government is committed to improving the quality and capacity of these health posts, recognizing their critical role in bringing health services closer to communities.
He further noted that some essential services—such as eye and dental care—have been identified as highly needed at the primary level, prompting efforts to ensure that these health posts are equipped with the necessary specialists.
To address the shortage of healthcare professionals, the ministry is also exploring flexible deployment mechanisms, allowing doctors to work across multiple facilities in nearby areas without compromising service quality.
During their recent field visits, Senators reported that many citizens had expressed a strong desire to use their RAMA insurance at local health posts, where currently only Mutuelle de Santé (community-based health insurance) is accepted.
Senator Pelagie Uwera welcomed the new initiative, saying it would be a relief for private-sector employees and other RAMA subscribers, even though it starts with a limited number of facilities.
As part of Rwanda’s broader five-year health infrastructure plan, the government aims to construct 100 new, modern health posts, enhancing accessibility and service delivery nationwide.
Dr. Butera reaffirmed that the government remains committed to addressing the existing challenges within primary health posts by improving infrastructure, increasing staff capacity, and strengthening the overall quality of healthcare services provided at the community level.
