Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya praised Rwanda for its progress in eliminating hepatitis through expanded screening and treatment [1].
The recognition underscores a shift toward regional health autonomy. By decentralizing care and expanding diagnostic reach, Rwanda is positioning itself as a blueprint for how other African nations can manage public health crises without relying solely on external frameworks [1].
Dr. Kaseya said that the country has focused on expanding hepatitis screening, treatment, and decentralized care [1]. These initiatives aim to bring life-saving medical interventions closer to rural and underserved populations, reducing the burden on centralized urban hospitals [1].
According to Dr. Kaseya, these efforts serve as a primary example of how African countries can take greater ownership of their health systems [1]. The strategy involves integrating hepatitis care into the broader primary healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that screening is not a standalone event, but part of a comprehensive health check [1].
“Rwanda's efforts to expand hepatitis screening, treatment and decentralised care have been highlighted as an example of how African countries can take greater ownership of their health systems,” Kaseya said [1].
The Africa CDC has consistently advocated for strengthened national health systems across the continent. Rwanda's approach aligns with these goals by prioritizing sustainable, locally managed health interventions over short-term aid projects [1].
The expansion of these services is part of a larger effort to reduce the prevalence of viral hepatitis, which remains a significant public health challenge across the region [1]. By increasing the volume of screened patients and providing accessible treatment, Rwanda aims to lower transmission rates and improve long-term patient outcomes [1].
“Rwanda's efforts... have been highlighted as an example of how African countries can take greater ownership of their health systems.”
Rwanda's success in decentralizing hepatitis care reflects a broader strategic trend in African public health: the transition from donor-dependent health programs to sovereign, state-led systems. By scaling screening and treatment at the local level, Rwanda demonstrates that systemic ownership can accelerate the elimination of chronic diseases and provide a scalable model for other member states of the Africa CDC.
