Parents with children studying Nursing and Midwifery are asking the Government to reduce the cost of education for these students, in a bid to support the initiative of quadrupling (4×4) the number of nursing and midwifery students in Rwanda within four years.

They made this appeal during the 8th graduation ceremony of 100 students who completed their Nursing and Midwifery studies at the Catholic Higher Institute of Health Sciences in Ruli, Gakenke District (RHIH), on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Mushimiyimana Claudine, the parent of Kwihangana Christian, said she spent over 9 million Rwandan francs (Frw) on her son’s nursing education at RHIH, forcing her to sell a house worth 12 million Frw.

Similarly, the parent of Mfurayase Honoré said he spent over 9 million Frw on his son’s three-year nursing education at RHIH.

Sindikubwabo Théogène, Mfurayase’s father, stated that to afford his son’s education at the nursing and midwifery school, he had to sell three mature cows, five calves, and a one-hectare forest.

Sindikubwabo, who traveled from Kiyumba Sector, Muhanga District, for the graduation ceremony, explained that the school’s annual tuition costs 1.65 million Frw. Additionally, he spent over 500,000 Frw yearly on transport, uniforms, medical care, and internships.

“The fees are too high. If no action is taken, there won’t be enough trained nurses and midwives in Rwanda”, He lamented.

Mfurayase Honoré supported his father’s concerns, saying that despite the high tuition fees, nurses receive a low salary of about 200,000 Frw per month after graduation.

“To recover the nearly 9 million Frw my parent spent on my education, I would have to work for about 10 years. If someone took a loan for school, repaying it would be nearly impossible,” he said.

Nurses and midwives also pointed out that their low numbers in the workforce result in extreme workload and exhaustion due to the lack of personnel to cover shifts adequately.

Nursing and Midwifery Union Highlights shortage of professionals

The Rwandan Nurses and Midwives Union reports that its members total fewer than 13,000 nationwide, while at least 20,000 are needed to meet the country’s healthcare demands.

Why is Nursing and Midwifery education expensive?

Dr Innocent Dushimiyimana, the Vice Chancellor of RHIH, explained that nursing education requires costly equipment, some of which is not available in Rwanda. He also mentioned the high salaries required to pay skilled instructors.

“In the laboratory, a nursing student must learn all internal and external parts of the human body, which requires mannequins and surgical instruments, all of which are expensive,” he said.

Similarly, midwifery students require specialized tools to monitor maternal health during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Dr Dushimiyimana acknowledged the government’s support in subsidizing education at RHIH, which helps students secure job placements even before completing their studies.

The school charges 1.65 million Frw per year, including 45,000 Frw per month for meals and accommodation. He emphasized that this is already a subsidized rate, as other schools charge similar fees without providing meals and lodge.

Government plan to quadruple nursing and midwifery students

The Ministry of Health (MINISANTE) recently received 3.85 billion Frw from the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) in November 2024 to help increase the number of nursing and midwifery students fourfold in four years (4×4).

Dr. Yvan Butera, the Minister of State, stated that previously, fewer than 100 nurses and midwives graduated annually, but RSSB’s support will increase this to 600 per year.

Their goal is for universities and higher institutions to graduate over 1,400 nurses and midwives annually so that by 2028, the country will have closed the workforce gap.

In March 2024, MINISANTE and its partners launched this initiative by enrolling 500 midwifery students in different universities at no cost.

Additionally, MINISANTE and the USAID pledged to work together to quadruple the number of midwives in Rwanda within four years.

Cardinal Kambanda Praises Nurses, Citing Pope Francis’ Care

During the RHIH graduation ceremony, Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, commended nurses and midwives for their role in saving lives. He noted that even Pope Francis, who is currently hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic, is under the care of nurses.

“Our Pope, Francis, is in the hands of nurses. When our health deteriorates, regardless of who we are—young or old, rich or poor—we all depend on nurses and midwives. However, there are too few of them, and they are in high demand,” he said.

Gakenke District Mayor, Vestine Mukandayisenga, highlighted the local shortage of healthcare workers, stating that the district urgently needs 71 nurses and 32 midwives. She urged graduates to consider staying in the area to fill the gap.