Residents of Bugaragara praise new ultrasound service for expectant mothers

Residents of Bugaragara in Rwimiyaga Sector, Nyagatare District, have expressed excitement over the introduction of a new ultrasound service that allows expectant mothers to determine the sex of their unborn babies.

According to Imvaho Nshya, many residents described the service as a remarkable sign of progress and modernity—something they had only heard about in urban areas.

Juliet Mukantagara, one of the mothers who benefited from the service, shared her joy.

“We used to come for regular pregnancy check-ups, but we were never told whether we were expecting a boy or a girl,” she said. “We only heard that people in Kigali could access such services. We’re very happy that this kind of development has reached us here in the countryside.”

For others, the introduction of the service has brought relief from long and costly journeys to distant hospitals.

“I used to travel all the way to Kiziguro Hospital in Gatsibo District for ultrasound scans,” said Mariya Mugabirwa. “It was expensive and tiring, which made many women avoid the service. Having it nearby is truly valuable, it will help both those who already knew about it and those who didn’t.”

Residents also noted that the ability to know the baby’s sex enables families to plan better for childbirth.

“When you know whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl, it helps you prepare accordingly,” said Drocelle Kakuze. “Even baby clothes and wraps differ by color depending on the baby’s gender. Now parents can prepare everything in advance.”

Nyagatare District Mayor, Stephen Gasana, said the initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to expand access to quality healthcare across the country.

“This is a national program aimed at bringing health services closer to citizens in a more convenient and efficient way,” he explained. “We encourage residents to make good use of these new opportunities being made available to them.”

Currently, Nyagatare District has 20 health centers offering maternal care services and two hospitals, Nyagatare and Gatunda, where ultrasound scans have traditionally been conducted. The addition of this new service at Bugaragara Health Center marks another step forward in improving maternal health and accessibility in rural Rwanda.