Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, has showcased the vital role of community health workers in transforming the country’s healthcare system during a field visit with philanthropist and businessman Bill Gates.
The two visited health initiatives in Rwamagana District on Monday, where they met community health workers from Mwulire Sector and observed how they support the delivery of essential healthcare services at the community level.
In Mwulire Sector alone, community health workers screened 65 percent of people tested for malaria over the past six months and provided up to 82 percent of the treatment services received by patients diagnosed with the disease.
Gates and Minister Nsanzimana also visited Mwulire Health Centre, which serves more than 37,000 residents, to assess how primary healthcare services are being delivered to communities.
The delegation further toured TKMD, a medical manufacturing company based in the Mwulire Industrial Park that produces auto-disable syringes for export to various countries, including through partnerships with UNICEF.
Opened on April 1, 2025, the factory started operations with the capacity to manufacture between 600,000 and one million syringes daily. It employs 110 workers, 80 percent of whom are women.
The syringes produced at the facility undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure they meet international standards before being approved for use and distribution.
Bill Gates is in Rwanda for a visit focused on reviewing progress in healthcare, technology and other key development sectors.
Rwanda has 58,298 community health workers serving communities across the country’s villages. They play a central role in maternal and child health, treating common childhood illnesses, supporting public health awareness and providing malaria diagnosis and treatment.
The visit highlighted Rwanda’s community-based healthcare approach, which has been a key pillar in expanding access to medical services and improving health outcomes, particularly in rural areas.
