Photo An American pediatric specialist during a radiology teaching session with pediatric residents in Kigali, Rwanda. In the past 15 years, Rwanda has worked to build a near-universal health care system. Credit Martina Bacigalupo for The New York Times <\/p>\n
To the Editor: <\/p>\n
Re Rwandas Lessons (Really) on Health Care, by Eduardo Porter (Economic Scene column, July 19): <\/p>\n
My colleagues and I recently returned from Banda, a village in rural Rwanda that our organization, Kageno, has worked in for a decade. There, we witnessed firsthand the progress in health care mentioned in this article, as well as the challenges that remain. <\/p>\n
We believe that improving the health of the villagers requires a multifaceted approach. This is why our organization supports local projects related to health care, the environment, education and sustainable commercial ventures. <\/p>\n
We found that these types of projects contributed to the overall well-being of Banda and the surrounding area. They required perseverance, cooperation among the people and their institutions, and because lasting improvements sometimes evolve slowly, patience. <\/p>\n
By the time our trip ended, we were deeply moved by the strength and determination of the villagers in Banda, who constantly sought a healthier, more prosperous future for their children. Perhaps we in the United States could learn from Bandas villagers by using a little more cooperation, perseverance and patience in our own health care system. <\/p>\n
NICK DEFABRIZIO, AUGUSTA, N.J. <\/p>\n
The writer is on the advisory board of Kageno, which supports villages in rural Rwanda and Kenya. <\/p>\n
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Read the original: <\/p>\n
Health Care in Rwanda - New York Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo An American pediatric specialist during a radiology teaching session with pediatric residents in Kigali, Rwanda. Continue reading