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By Annonciata Byukusenge
The share of women giving birth in health facilities in Rwanda’s Western Province rose to 98.2% in 2025, up from 91% in 2015, according to the country’s seventh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-7).
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) published the survey in December 2025, and officials are now disseminating the findings to residents across the country. The figure was 91.9% in 2020.
Mukarugero Delphine, a resident of Rubavu Sector in Rubavu District, credited awareness campaigns for the increase.
“A few years ago, few women delivered at a health facility, because most didn’t go for antenatal checkups. Now a pregnant woman is followed closely because the community health worker keeps checking that she is keeping up with her appointments. You can’t attend checkups and then decide not to deliver at a facility.”
Every district in the province recorded an increase.
Karongi rose from 87% in 2015 to 100% in 2025 and 95% in 2020.
Rutsiro rose from 92% to 97.3% and 95% in 2020.
Rubavu rose from 94% to 97.3% and 95% in 2020.
Nyabihu rose from 91% to 100% and 92% in 2020.
Ngororero rose from 76% to 98.2% and 86% in 2020.
Rusizi rose from 96% to 100% and 96% in 2020.
Nyamasheke rose from 96% to 98.5% and 96% in 2020.
Jean Bosco Ntibitura, governor of the Western Province, said the findings should serve as a lesson for local authorities.
“Presenting the results is not an end in itself,” he said. “We need to look at where things have not gone well and put in more effort so the remaining gaps are closed.”
DHS7-2025, conducted by NISR in the 123 clusters, was selected in the Western Province. Among those selected clusters, 84 were selected in rural areas and 39 in urban areas. 26 households were selected in each selected cluster. 3,198 households were selected.
