The Ministry of Health has launched the nationwide distribution of AI-enabled smartphones to community health workers, delivering on a 2024 pledge by President Paul Kagame to modernise healthcare from the grassroots.
The rollout was flagged off on February 28, 2026, by Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana in Bweyeye Sector, Rusizi District, during the monthly community work (Umuganda). The initiative marks a major step in Rwanda’s digital health transformation strategy.
92 workers equipped in first phase
In the first phase, 92 community health workers in Bweyeye received the AI-powered devices, which will support disease detection, guide treatment decisions and enhance real-time medical data collection and reporting.
Unlike previous arrangements — where only coordinators were equipped — the new programme targets all community health workers individually. The government plans to distribute the devices to more than 58,000 community health workers countrywide, followed by structured training to ensure effective utilisation.
The smartphones are expected to improve early diagnosis, streamline referrals and strengthen patient follow-up at village level.
Reducing long-distance referrals
Speaking at the launch, Dr Nsanzimana said the broader goal is to decentralise quality healthcare and minimise the need for patients to travel long distances in search of treatment.
“A resident of Bweyeye should not have to travel to Gihundwe to see a doctor or undergo emergency surgery due to childbirth complications when services can be made available closer to home,” he said. “As healthcare services move closer to citizens, quality improves and risks are reduced.”
As part of the same intervention, Bweyeye Health Centre received a permanent medical doctor and an ambulance to bolster emergency response capacity in the remote border sector.
Citizens urged to demand quality care
The minister called on citizens to report poor service delivery and demand accountability within the health system.
“Quality healthcare is a right. Where services fall short, citizens should speak out so corrective action can be taken,” he said, while urging medical professionals to maintain high standards of professionalism.
The smartphone pledge was first made by President Kagame during a meeting with community health workers in 2024, where he emphasised the need for a technological leap beginning at the lowest levels of the health system.
The latest rollout signals Rwanda’s continued investment in leveraging artificial intelligence and digital tools to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
