Rutsiro District Takes Bold Steps to Combat Child Malnutrition with ‘Professional Umuganda’ Initiative

Sr. Immaculée MANIRAGUHA, Director of Kivumu Health Center, Huye district, is providing supplements like Shisha Kibondo, nutritious porridge flour, to fight malnutrition and stunting among children.
Rutsiro district is intensifying efforts to combat malnutrition and stunted growth among children, where the stunting rate stands at one of the highest levels in Rwanda. With a reported rate of 39.5% among children under two years, the district’s most recent interventions have brought this figure down to 28%. However, data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) indicated an even higher stunting rate of 44% in the district.
To address this pressing issue, Rutsiro district has initiated various initiatives, including an innovative program called “Professional Umuganda.” This initiative integrates local government officials, healthcare workers, agricultural experts, and community leaders to collectively tackle malnutrition and stunting.

Marie Chantal UMUGANWA, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs in Rutsiro district, emphasized the program’s significant impact.
“Professional Umuganda is a groundbreaking approach. It identifies malnourished children and ensures they receive proper care. Since its implementation, we’ve achieved remarkable results, reducing the number of affected children by 80% within just six months,” she noted.
The Rutsiro district now aims to lower the stunting rate to 25% by the end of this year.
The Kivumu Health Center, located in Rutsiro’s Kivumu sector, plays a pivotal role in the program.

Sister Immaculée MANIRAGUHA, Director of Kivumu Health Center, highlighted innovative strategies introduced to support the initiative. “We began raising laying hens and cultivating high-protein mushrooms alongside other vegetables to prepare nutritious meals,” she explained.
The Kivumu Health Center currently has 147 hens producing 120 eggs daily, which, combined with the mushrooms, enrich children’s diets and significantly combat malnutrition.

The program’s impact is evident through testimonies from beneficiaries. Janviere TUYIHUNGIREHO, a resident of Kivumu sector, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This program has transformed my life. I now understand how to prepare balanced meals and care for my child, who was previously malnourished but is now thriving.”
Launched six months ago with a budget of 300 million Rwandan francs, the “Professional Umuganda” initiative is funded through a combination of the district’s budget and contributions from local development partners. The collaborative effort underscores the district’s commitment to eradicating malnutrition and improving the lives of its youngest residents.
Through targeted interventions, enhanced community involvement, and strategic partnerships, Rutsiro district demonstrates how innovative and collaborative approaches can address complex health challenges, offering hope for a healthier future for its children.
Rwanda’s government has implemented cross-cutting measures to reduce stunting trends from 38% in 2022 to 33% today, with a goal of 15% in the next five years as outlined in the 2nd National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).






