From May 15–16, 2025, delegates from the Secretariat of the Pandemic Fund conducted a site visit to Rwanda to review the country’s public health surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response efforts.
The visit began with a meeting where Dr. Edson Rwagasore, Division Manager of Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre—guided the delegation through a tour of key health sites and provided explanations on Rwanda’s preparedness efforts, emphasizing the integration of the SPPROHRW project.
The first stop was the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), where delegates observed Rwanda’s laboratory capacity and its critical role in outbreak response—particularly during the mpox and Marburg virus outbreaks. Experts at the facility led discussions on diagnostic systems and lab operations.
A Glimpse into NRL
The team then traveled to Nyamata in the Eastern Province to meet Community Health Workers and learn more about their contributions to disease surveillance and response. They also held discussions with Dr. Menelas Nkeshimana Head of Department of Health Workforce Development, at the Ministry of Health Rwanda on the country’s Marburg response, health system strengthening, and investments in health workforce and infrastructure.
On May 16, the visit continued to Gamiko—the site of the initial Marburg outbreak—offering firsthand insight into outbreak response measures. Later, the group visited the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) Laboratory to explore diagnostics and research capabilities related to zoonotic diseases.
Community Frontlines at Nyamata
Gamiko Visit: Understanding Environment and Outbreak Response
The final stop was at the National Health Intelligence Center, where the delegates received insights into Rwanda’s approach to health surveillance, data integration, and management. The visit concluded with a meeting with the SPPROHRW Project Team, including a presentation and discussions on project implementation.
The mission offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, clarify key aspects of project implementation, and gain insight into Rwanda’s health preparedness and its ongoing efforts to strengthen responses to emerging health threats.
Health Data in Motion: Navigating Rwanda’s Health Intelligence Center with SPPROHRW Team
