Rusumo leaders take action to protect their community clinic

A year ago, the PICO delegation witnessed 1000 people dedicate the health clinic in Rusumo that has been serving more than 100 people each day. This year, the PICO delegation arrived to see the clinic closed on the Saturday we arrived. Rusumo leaders were not going to stand for this insult. We saw leaders who organized to build the clinic call the Mayor of Kirehe District who had dedicated it and ask if he knew that health officials had closed the clinic on weekends. He express shock and promised immediate action not only to make sure it stayed open on weekends, but to support the community in their efforts to take ownership of the clinic and insure its proper operation for the long term. The PICO delegation was privileged to witness this action and believe that further action will lead to full ownership of the clinic by the people who built it. Thank you!