Ministry of Health to Include Community Health Workers in Muganga SACCO

In a bid to improve the lives of Community Health Workers (CHWs) across Rwanda, the Ministry of Health (MINISANTE) has revealed exciting plans to include them in the Muganga Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO).

This announcement came from the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Governance, Gender, and Family on January 22, 2025.

For years, CHWs have been at the heart of Rwanda’s healthcare system. They support communities with essential services like maternal care, child development, and disease prevention. Yet, despite their tireless efforts, many face financial challenges.

To help, MINISANTE has been offering incentives, like quarterly performance bonuses, mobile phones to manage health data, and even uniforms for their work in the field. These benefits are designed to make their work more effective and their lives a little easier.

But the new move to include CHWs in Muganga SACCO could be a game-changer. Muganga SACCO, which started as a cooperative for health workers to save and lend money, has grown into a fully recognized financial institution.

In 2022, it gained official status with the National Bank of Rwanda, and in 2023, it began offering members international debit cards. Now, with over 12,000 members, the SACCO is growing rapidly, and CHWs could soon be a part of that.

The idea of adding CHWs to Muganga SACCO stems from the Ministry’s recognition of their vital role in healthcare and their need for better financial security. “We believe this will help them improve their livelihoods and address some of the challenges they face in their cooperatives,” Dr. Nsanzimana shared.

He also noted that the Muganga SACCO Board has been discussing the plan, and MINISANTE is confident that it will strengthen both the health sector and the financial stability of CHWs.

Currently, CHWs are involved in many community projects through cooperatives that focus on agriculture, livestock farming, and small businesses. These cooperatives, which span across the country, give CHWs the opportunity to generate income while continuing their essential health work. With nearly 60,000 CHWs across 518 cooperatives, the impact is significant.

The inclusion in Muganga SACCO would allow CHWs to access more financial services, such as loans and savings, with the added benefit of using technology to manage their finances. It’s a step towards giving them more control over their financial future, which, in turn, can improve their ability to care for their families and their communities.

President Paul Kagame recognized the important role of CHWs during a speech in June 2024, praising their dedication and commitment. “We will continue to support them,” he promised, ensuring they have the tools and resources to keep improving the health of Rwandans.

With plans in place to integrate them into Muganga SACCO, CHWs are looking forward to new opportunities. The potential for greater financial stability and support means they can continue their work with even more dedication, knowing that the government and their communities have their backs.