Musanze: Only 54% of mothers attend the recommended number of antenatal care visits
The number of mothers who attend the recommended antenatal care visits from the time they become pregnant until delivery remains low in Musanze District, with statistics showing that only 54% complete all the required check-ups. This has been identified as a major challenge in the fight against malnutrition and stunting, which still affects 31.9% of children in the district, while the target is to reduce it to 15%.
This issue was highlighted on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, during the launch of a nutrition and stunting prevention awareness week held in Kinigi Sector. Various strategies were presented to address the problem, especially since stunting is not only found in poor households but also affects families with relatively better economic conditions.
Some parents who participated in the awareness campaign said it helps them learn how to better care for their children, particularly by preparing balanced and hygienic meals that contain the necessary nutrients.
Claudine Ahishakiye, a resident of Terimbere Village in Mugari Cell, Shingiro Sector, said the campaign has helped parents understand more about child nutrition.
She said:”This awareness campaign helps us learn how to prepare balanced diets for our children. We understand the importance of including vegetables and fruits in their meals, and we are reminded that all food prepared for them must be hygienic.”
Nsanzimana Yohani Marie Vianney, a community health worker affiliated with Bisate Health Center in Shingiro Sector, said they are still facing challenges that contribute to child malnutrition and stunting.
He explained:”One of the common challenges is that some parents are very busy with daily work and do not find time to take their children to Early Childhood Development centers (ECDs). As community health workers, we continue visiting households to encourage parents to take their children there, especially now that these centers are being expanded closer to communities, even at the village level.”
Speaking about the low participation in antenatal care visits, Nsanzimana noted that men’s involvement is still limited.
He said:”It is very important for husbands to accompany their wives to antenatal care visits so that both parents receive guidance on how to care for the unborn child. Husbands should also remind their wives about follow-up appointments. When this is neglected, it can increase the risk of children being born with nutritional problems or stunting.”
During the campaign, parents were also trained on proper child feeding practices, including understanding the different food groups children need,foods that provide energy, build the body, and protect against diseases. They were also encouraged to diversify children’s diets.
The event also included demonstrations of balanced meals for children and the distribution of milk, symbolizing the importance of proper nutrition. The campaign was attended by several institutions, including Musanze District authorities, the Rwanda Defence Force, the Rwanda National Police, and development partners.
Théobard Kayiranga, Vice Mayor of Musanze District in charge of Social Affairs, said the campaign focuses on child health beginning during pregnancy.
He said:”Today we focused especially on pregnant mothers so they can take care of their health and the health of the unborn child, together with their husbands. We also encourage parents to take children to ECD centers because studies show that children who attend them are less likely to suffer from stunting.”
He added that although progress has been made, more work is still needed.
He stated:”In Musanze District, stunting has reduced from 45% to 31.9%, which is a decrease of about 14%. We believe that with continued collaboration among all stakeholders, we will further reduce these numbers and reach our target of 15% within the next five years.”
Kayiranga also pointed out that Kinigi Sector still has gaps in children’s enrollment in ECD centers.
He explained:”We chose to launch this campaign in Kinigi because it still has a relatively low number of children attending these centers. Across the district, we have about 54,000 children who should be enrolled in ECD centers, but only around 49,000 currently attend. This leaves a gap of nearly 6,000 children, many of whom are in Kinigi Sector.”
He added that the 54% rate of mothers completing the recommended antenatal visits is still unsatisfactory.
“We encourage mothers to start antenatal care as soon as they become pregnant and to attend these visits with their husbands so that both parents can actively support the health of their child,” he said.
Safia Mategeko, Director and spokesperson of MCBO, an organization working with Musanze District on child protection initiatives, said stunting should not persist in an area with strong agricultural productivity.
She said:”When you look closely, Musanze is a district with abundant agricultural production. Stunting should not be this high. That is why we need cooperation from everyone to ensure every child grows up healthy.”
She added that development partners will strengthen close monitoring of children’s nutrition.
“Each partner will monitor children in the areas where they operate. We will work together with sector executive secretaries, local leaders, and communities to closely follow up on children’s nutrition,” she explained.
She also highlighted another concern where some parents sell nutritional supplements meant for children.
“Sometimes children are given supplements such as Shisha Kibondo, but some parents end up selling them instead of feeding them to their children. That is why during these awareness campaigns we remind parents that raising children properly is the responsibility of every parent,” she said.
Partners involved in combating stunting and malnutrition say they will continue strengthening efforts by building more ECD centers and conducting continuous awareness campaigns, in collaboration with local authorities, community health workers, and residents.
Parents were urged to prioritize children’s health from pregnancy through early childhood, provide balanced and hygienic meals, and avoid feeding children only the foods they produce on their farms without ensuring proper dietary diversity.
