Kigali – With assist from the World Well being Group (WHO), the Pandemic Fund and different regional companions, Rwanda is conducting its second Joint Exterior Analysis (JEE) of the Worldwide Well being Rules (IHR 2005) from 25 to 30 Might 2025 in Kigali.
Constructing on the momentum of the primary JEE carried out in 2018, which led to the event of the Nationwide Motion Plan for Well being Safety (NAPHS) 2020–2024 and the institution of One Well being Multisectoral Coordination Mechanism, this second analysis goals to additional strengthen Rwanda’s capability to forestall, detect, and reply to public well being threats.
“This milestone provides us not solely a possibility to measure progress since our first JEE in 2018 but additionally to mirror critically on the teachings we’ve realized by way of our current public well being responses, notably to COVID-19 and the Marburg outbreak” stated Dr Albert Tuyishime, Head of the Departments of HIV and Illness Prevention and Management, Rwanda Biomedical Centre. He continued: “These experiences have examined our methods, strengthened our resolve, and underscored the significance of preparedness, coordination, and resilience”.
This yr’s JEE emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy, highlighting high-level political dedication and cross-sectoral collaboration. The analysis will assess Rwanda’s progress throughout 19 technical areas, together with surveillance, laboratory methods, emergency response, danger communication, and antimicrobial resistance.
In his remarks, Dr Brian Chirombo, WHO Consultant to Rwanda said: “The Joint Exterior Analysis is a vital and well timed alternative to take inventory of progress the nation has made, establish remaining gaps and outline a transparent path in the direction of lasting, sustainable enhancements”. He added: “The JEE aligns with international initiatives such because the International Well being Safety Agenda and the World Group for Animal Well being’s Efficiency of Veterinary Companies Pathway, supporting the event of multi-year nationwide motion plans which might be important for operational readiness, particularly in resource-constrained settings”.
Dr Chirombo reaffirmed WHO’s dedication to supporting Rwanda in advancing emergency preparedness and constructing resilient public well being methods by way of technical assist, coordination and capacity-building.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Ms Nomathemba Mhlanga, FAO Consultant a.i, Dr Austine Bitek, a consultant from FAO, stated, “At FAO, we acknowledge that safeguarding well being requires a multisectoral, collaborative strategy rooted within the One Well being framework, which unites human, animal, and environmental well being sectors. FAO stands able to assist Rwanda in strengthening the animal well being sector’s contribution to nationwide well being safety.”
The analysis brings collectively a variety of stakeholders, together with authorities ministries, native establishments, worldwide organizations and civil society. Taking part entities embrace Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Sources Improvement Board (RAB), Ministry of Surroundings (MoE), Ministry in Cost of Emergency Administration (MINEMA), Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), Rwanda Nationwide Police (RNP), Ministry of Protection (MoD), hospitals, WHO, US CDC, and Africa CDC. Collectively, these stakeholders are advancing the implementation and monitoring of nationwide progress by way of a powerful multisectoral strategy. This collaborative initiative enhances coordination, optimizes useful resource use, and strengthens capability constructing and monitoring and analysis by leveraging the distinctive strengths of every sector.
The exterior analysis itself is being carried out by a various crew of material specialists from the WHO Regional Workplace for Africa, UNFPA, and the East, Central, and Southern Africa Well being Group (ECSA-HC), along with specialists from Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.
The outcomes of the 2025 JEE will inform the event of the following Nationwide Motion Plan for Well being Safety, information nationwide efforts to align with international well being safety requirements, strengthen nationwide preparedness, and contribute to international well being safety.
As Rwanda continues to make progress in strengthening its public well being system, this second JEE marks a pivotal step in reinforcing nationwide emergency preparedness and contributing to international well being safety. WHO stays dedicated to facilitating this course of and guaranteeing that Rwanda’s well being safety priorities are successfully carried out and sustainably financed.