Synopsis
On January 31, Rwanda unveiled a strategic plan aimed at achieving universal health coverage by 2030, including initiatives for cervical cancer elimination and enhancing healthcare services through investments in technology and research.Key Takeaways
- Health Sector Strategic Plan V targets universal coverage by 2030.
- Community Health Insurance now covers 83.5% of Rwandans.
- Investment in digital health and biotechnology is prioritized.
- Mission 2027 aims to eliminate cervical cancer.
- Marburg virus outbreak officially ends.
Kigali, Jan 31 (NationPress) Rwanda officially introduced a detailed framework on Friday to propel the nation towards universal health coverage by the year 2030.
The Health Sector Strategic Plan V (HSSP V) for 2024-2029, unveiled in Kigali, aims to cultivate a healthier and more productive populace that will contribute to Rwanda's developmental objectives, according to authorities.
This launch coincided with the introduction of Mission 2027, an initiative designed to hasten the eradication of cervical cancer.
"With HSSP V, we are not merely continuing our journey. We are accelerating it," stated Yvan Butera, the Rwandan minister of state in the Ministry of Health. "We will enhance our healthcare workforce, bolster primary healthcare, and guarantee that quality services reach every Rwandan citizen."
Rwanda plans to channel investments into research, digital health, and biotechnology to modernize its healthcare framework, fortify health security and emergency readiness, and enhance health financing to ensure affordability, he added, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"Screenings for non-communicable diseases are progressing ... enabling the prevention of complications at an early stage," Butera remarked. "Recently, we have expanded the services accessible through Community Health Insurance, including cancer treatment, cardiovascular disease management, and kidney transplants."
As per the Ministry of Health, Rwanda's community-based health insurance currently covers 83.5 percent of the population.
Last month, the nation declared the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak, which was initially reported on September 27.
The announcement, made by Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana in Kigali, followed a period of 42 consecutive days without any new cases after the last confirmed patient was discharged, in compliance with WHO guidelines.
Rwanda documented its final confirmed case on October 30 and its last Marburg-related fatality on October 14.
