Every lab test conducted, every disease tracked, every outbreak contained—it all begins with people. Rwanda is investing in strengthening its workforce to ensure resilience across both human and animal health sectors. This is not just about numbers—it’s about skills, coordination, and shared purpose. This strategy builds human capacity to ensure Rwanda’s health system is prepared for any potential emerging health threats.
Why Health Workforce Development Matters
Because Preparedness Starts with People
Technology and infrastructure matter—but without the right people in place, even the best systems fall short. Developing a skilled and flexible health workforce means Rwanda can detect disease faster, deploy quicker, and save more lives. From rural surveillance teams to national lab networks, every role matters. And in a world where threats can emerge from animals, people, or the environment, Rwanda’s commitment to the One Health approach ensures professionals are trained to work across sectors—together.
Objective
Build a skilled workforce capable of effectively detecting, responding to, and mitigating public health threats under a One Health approach.
Key Strategic Interventions
- Establish and equip multidisciplinary response teams for rapid deployment during outbreaks.
- Conduct scenario-based training and simulation exercises to strengthen crisis readiness.
- Scale up enrollment in Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) and Global Laboratory Leadership Programs (GLLP).
- Emphasize applied learning in outbreak detection, surveillance, data interpretation, and leadership.
- Facilitate joint field training involving professionals from human, animal, and environmental health.
- Promote inter-professional collaboration through shared modules and joint response evaluations.
- Develop and implement new postgraduate curricula for veterinary medicine focused on zoonotic disease control and public health.
- Support mentorship pathways and academic exchange initiatives to attract and retain skilled veterinary professionals.
- Institutionalize in-service education, refresher courses, and peer-to-peer learning platforms.
- Utilize digital and blended learning to expand access and adaptability.
Targeted Performance Indicators
- Improved JEE Technical Indicators:
- Workforce Capacity & Development: D.3.1 – D.3.4
- Improved PVS Evaluation Indicators:
- Veterinary workforce sustainability & competencies: PVS I-2, I-3
