Minister Nsanzimana and Bill Gates visit Mwulire Sector to witness healthcare transformation

Mwulire, 20 July 2026 - Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana and Bill Gates, Founder and Chair of the Gates Foundation, visited Mwulire Sector in Rwamagana District, where they met Community Health Workers, visited Mwulire Health Center, and toured TKMD Syringes Manufacturing—showcasing how partnerships are transforming healthcare in Rwanda.

Community Health Workers are the backbone of Rwanda's healthcare system. Across the country, 58,298 CHWs work in teams of four per cell, covering every 60 households to deliver vital, doorstep healthcare. Their early interventions prevent disease progression, save young lives, and keep health centers from overflowing. In Mwulire alone, CHWs provided up to 65% of malaria screenings and up to 82% of malaria treatments over the last six months—care that would otherwise overwhelm formal facilities. They heard directly from these workers about what the role demands and how it is evolving.

To empower them further, the Ministry of Health is rolling out community Electronic Medical Records (cEMR). By digitizing record-keeping, cEMR reduces paperwork and yields real-time data for rapid responses.

The visit also highlighted how targeted investments build long-term institutional resilience:

- Expanding primary access: The newly constructed Mwulire Health Center now serves over 37,000+ residents, eliminating the 16 km walk many previously faced to access maternal care or basic consultations. The center was built through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda and its partners—a clear example of how collaboration turns investment into real operational capacity: more facilities, shorter distances, and better access for patients.

- Strengthening local manufacturing: At TKMD, a Rwanda-based manufacturer of auto-disable syringes supported by the Gates Foundation, local production supplies the region and exports to multiple countries through UNICEF.

Rwanda's health gains are built on strong partnerships—where local leadership and global collaboration come together to improve lives.