Rwanda's Potential to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals for Health

This article examines the feasibility of meeting the Millennium Development Goal targets for health in Rwanda, which has rebuilt a health system after the 1994 genocide. The target for underweight children has been achieved, and others are on track or virtually achieved: measles immunization, antenatal care, under-five and maternal mortality, and 100 percent adult take-up of antiretroviral drugs for AIDS. Even the targets for use of modern contraceptives and for qualified attendance at births are not beyond reach. The appointment of community health workers and the introduction of universal health insurance have been important success factors. Some targets will not be met by 2015, however. Despite progress, the infant mortality rate will not fall to the target level, nor the target for young people's knowledge of AIDS. Extreme poverty has declined, but not to the target level. Also, targets can mislead. For example, young children may now be receiving sufficient food on average, but the extent of stunting suggests that it is not the right food.