Empowering Rwanda to provide cardiac care to millions

 
 

Rwanda is a country of 12 million people with fewer than 10 physicians specializing in cardiovascular disease. Rheumatic heart disease, end stage congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease are major contributors of morbidity and mortality in the country. In addition to facing rheumatic heart disease, Rwanda also faces disease related to lifestyle such as coronary artery disease and hypertension. Cardiovascular fellowship training was established in 2022, under the leadership of the Rwanda Ministry of Health, University of Rwanda, and in collaboration with University of Cincinnati Rwanda Initiative. This is a historical time for the country in addressing the shortage of specialist in cardiac care.

 

The mission of the UC Rwanda Initiative is to support the first cardiovascular fellowship training program in Rwanda, in order to support a training program for Rwandan physicians to address the country’s health care needs.

Through education, training, and collaboration we are creating opportunity for practitioner’s at all levels of expertise to improve their patients health, and improve lives.

 
 

Dr. Sibomana (second to the right) with Dr. Kerr (far right), the Director of UC Rwanda Initiative, during Dr. Kerr’s first visit to Rwanda in 2016 with Team Heart, a team performing cardiac surgeries to patients with limited access to cardiac care.

 

Education.

A structured cardiology virtual program has been developed by the UC Rwanda Initiative team, in collaboration with the University of Kigali Internal Medicine department at the University of Kigali Teaching Hospital (CHUK). The educational curriculum was established in 2020, targeting cardiovascular topics that are specific to the region. This has been extremely successful and well received. The data on its success was published and presented at the American College of cardiology meeting in 2022.

 

Training.

In addition to weekly online conferences since 2020, U.S. faculty travel to Rwanda to contribute to bedside teaching and didactic conferences to the University of Rwanda trainees. This allows Rwandan physicians to train and practice cardiovascular disease in their home country. 

 
 

Collaboration.

Working side by side with our colleagues in Rwanda since 2016, we have fostered strong personal and professional relationships, which have contributed to the success of the newly established cardiovascular fellowships. The program began as a virtual educational platform involving internal medicine residents at four teaching hospitals in Rwanda. This has grown to include the bi-directional exchange of University of Rwanda and University of Cincinnati faculty visits on the ground to continue our knowledge trade through collaboration.

 
 

Supporting cardiovascular medical education and training in Rwanda.

 

Make a Difference.

Your contribution will facilitate the education and training of bright young Rwandan physicians in cardiovascular medicine. It will provide collaboration with top tier medical institutions, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable on the ground training program in Rwanda under the leadership of Rwandan health care leaders and support of University of Cincinnati. Your contribution will impact millions of young people afflicted with cardiac disease in Rwanda. Supporting a sustainable training program will secure the country’s ability to provide care of excellence for years to come. Help us make this sustainable life long goal a reality.