Transforming Maternal Care at Muyumbu Health Center
For years, Muyumbu Health Center has been a trusted place of care for thousands of families in Rwamagana District, providing essential primary healthcare services to a rapidly growing population. As demand has increased, particularly for maternal and newborn care, the need to expand and modernize the facility has become increasingly urgent.
Al Pace, Kristin Morch, and Rwamagana District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi officially launch the expansion of Muyumbu Health Center by laying the foundation stone.
On June 19, Health Builders joined the Ministry of Health, Rwamagana District leaders, healthcare workers, community members, and partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Muyumbu Health Center expansion project. Once completed, the upgraded facility will strengthen maternal, newborn, and primary healthcare services for more than 60,000 people living in Muyumbu Sector and surrounding communities, while supporting Rwanda's broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services closer to where people live.
Al Pace and Kristin Morch tour the existing maternity ward at Muyumbu Health Center, where they learn about the challenges of providing quality maternal care in small, overcrowded spaces with limited maternal privacy.
The project will significantly expand the health center's capacity by constructing a new maternity block equipped with an operating theatre for emergency obstetric care, dedicated postnatal care rooms, renovated clinical spaces, and upgraded water, sanitation, electricity, and infection prevention systems. Together, these improvements will create a safer, more efficient environment for patients and healthcare workers while bringing life-saving services closer to families.
This important milestone has been made possible through the generous support of the Pace Family Foundation and other partners. Over the years, Al Pace and Kristin Morch have partnered with Health Builders to strengthen Rwanda's health system by investing in high-quality healthcare infrastructure. In addition to supporting the expansion and renovation of Muyumbu Health Center, they have enabled the construction of five high-quality health centers and three health posts designed to meet Rwanda's highest standards for healthcare infrastructure.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Al Pace reflected on the personal journey that inspired his family's commitment to Rwanda.
"Healthcare has always been an important part of our family's story. My father was a gynecologist, and Kristin's father was a cardiologist. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law also worked in Rwanda's health system in 1997, and my sister worked here in 2000. Over time, these connections and conversations inspired us to support the health system strengthening in Rwanda, a country that feels like a second home to us."
He added:
"We are honored to partner with Health Builders and the Government of Rwanda to help improve access to quality healthcare for mothers, newborns, and families in communities like Muyumbu."
For Health Builders, the groundbreaking marks more than the start of a construction project; it represents the power of partnership in strengthening Rwanda's health system.
As Executive Director, Michel Musilikare, shared during the ceremony:
"This groundbreaking represents more than the start of a construction project. It is an investment in healthier mothers, healthier children, and stronger communities. Through the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Rwamagana District, generous supporters, and local communities, we are helping bring life-saving services closer to the people who need them the most."
The visit also provided an opportunity for Al Pace and Kristin Morch to see the long-term impact of their partnership with Health Builders across Rwanda.
They visited Mwulire Health Center, completed in 2023 in Rwamagana District, where they met with healthcare workers and observed how the facility continues to improve access to quality healthcare for the surrounding communities.
Al Pace and Kristin Morch visit Mwulire Health Center .
Al Pace and Kristin Morch visit Nyarugenge Health Center in Bugesera District.
They also visited Nyarugenge Health Center, completed in 2013 in Bugesera District, to learn more about the facility's progress and the ongoing impact it has on the local population.
Their visit extended beyond health facilities into the community, where they joined Community Health Workers conducting screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes. The experience highlighted the essential role Community Health Workers play in early detection, prevention, health education, and bringing healthcare services directly to communities.
A Community Health Worker in Bugesera District conducts home-based screening for hypertension and diabetes.
As construction begins at Muyumbu, we look forward to sharing updates on the project's progress. Each milestone will bring the community one step closer to safer deliveries, stronger primary healthcare services, and better health outcomes for mothers, newborns, and families.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pace Family Foundation for its longstanding partnership and unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare across Rwanda. Together with the Ministry of Health, Rwamagana District, healthcare workers, and local communities, we are investing in healthier futures, one health facility at a time.
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Interested in supporting transformative projects like the Muyumbu Health Center expansion? We welcome partners who share our vision of ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare closer to home. Get in touch with us to learn how you can be part of this journey!
