He made the remarks during a training session held in July 2025, which brought together district-level representatives of nurses and midwives affiliated with RNMU.
Gitembagara pointed out that the nursing and midwifery professions remain economically underdeveloped, making it vital for professionals in these fields to explore alternative sources of income to boost their financial security.
'When you look at many nurses, they earn around 200,000 Rwandan Francs, whether in rural or urban areas, and this amount is often insufficient to invest in even a small side business,' he said. 'We are currently in discussions with Muganga SACCO to explore support programmes that can facilitate these projects.'
He further emphasised that supporting professionals in this field also contributes to women's empowerment, as approximately 65% of nurses and midwives are women.
The training also covered key topics related to labour rights and the legal frameworks governing the nursing and midwifery professions. Participants were equipped with knowledge on how to protect and advocate for their rights in the workplace.
Legal expert Hobess Nkundimana highlighted that nurses and midwives often dedicate the majority of their time to work, which can make them vulnerable to unfair treatment due to limited legal awareness.
'Understanding labour laws will help them contribute meaningfully to human resource management processes, ensuring that decisions are made fairly â€" whether in favour of the employer or the employee,' Nkundimana said.
Rwanda currently has over 14,000 nurses and midwives in active practice, with more than 12,000 registered under RNMU.
The two-day training was attended by representatives from all 30 districts across the country.
IGIHE
