French President Emmanuel Macron has commended Rwanda for its exemplary primary healthcare model under President Paul Kagame’s leadership.
The Head of State made his remarks on Tuesday, December 17 at the grand opening of the World Health Organization (WHO) Academy Campus in Lyon, France.
Highlighting Rwanda’s success, President Macron emphasized that strong primary healthcare systems are pivotal for addressing global health emergencies especially epidemics or pandemics.
He noted: “You can train and retrain people, but if primary healthcare facilities are weak, it will be difficult to effectively deal with epidemics or pandemics when people are unprepared. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the importance of primary health care, which remains a central goal of our policy.”
He acknowledged Rwanda’s success in making long-term investments in healthcare, noting that these efforts have delivered significant results.
“Rwanda has taken the time to modernize and strengthen its healthcare system, and the benefits of this commitment are evident,” he said.
Using Rwanda as a model, Macron elaborated on how such investments yield positive outcomes.
“For example, under the leadership of Paul Kagame, Rwanda has prioritized and maintained its primary healthcare system. This approach has proven invaluable in protecting large populations during health emergencies, showing the critical importance of such investments,” he added.
According to the organisations, WHO academy launched in 2023, aims to help Member States address critical gaps in health workforce training by leveraging new technologies and applying the latest advancements in adult learning.
The Academy will offer high-quality courses to health and care workers, decision-makers and the WHO workforce, both online and in-person.
Located in the bio-district of Gerland in Lyon and funded by France, the WHO Academy Campus is an eco-friendly facility designed to foster innovation and collaboration. It features a world-class simulation centre and will serve as a hub for learners, trainers, academics, and researchers from around the globe.
During the ceremony, President Paul Kagame delivered a virtual address stating that the newly launched World Health Organization (WHO) Academy in France will be instrumental in providing better learning opportunities for healthcare workers and tapping into technological advancements in the health sector.
“The WHO Academy will be instrumental in helping us achieve this objective, and we intend to make full use of it. We owe it to our people to deliver consistent, affordable, high-quality health care,” Kagame said.
The President noted that this establishment of the academy means creating partnerships where people can benefit from knowledge transfer, in essential fields like biotechnology.
“There is a lot we can do with friends and partners to build on what we have already accomplished. We look forward to witnessing the outcomes of this promising institution and Rwanda stands to support and do its part,” Kagame added.
Rwanda’s healthcare system has been lauded for its community-based approach. With over 58,000 community health workers, 1,252 health posts, 513 health centers, and 52 national hospitals, the country has ensured access to primary healthcare for its population. These facilities treat various conditions, monitor maternal health, and provide emergency care.
For Example, in response to the recent Marburg epidemic, Rwanda’s robust healthcare network, supported by trained community health workers, contained the outbreak within two months, showcasing its preparedness for health crises.
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, has also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
“This year, we distributed 246 new ambulances and increased the enrollment of healthcare providers in training programs by 146%. By 2028, we aim to quadruple the number of healthcare professionals.”
He was addressing more than 8,000 community health workers, over 500 heads of public hospitals, and partners who gathered at BK Arena to reflect on their contributions, challenges, and potential solutions to improving Rwanda’s health sector, in June this year.
Rwanda is among the 33 member states of the Group of Friends of the WHO Academy, signaling its active role in global health collaborations.
