SIHI Rwanda at the University of Rwanda

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda: Our mission is to support the development of Rwanda by discovering and advancing knowledge, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence, where students are prepared for lives of service, leadership and solutions.

The University of Rwanda (UR) hosts the newly established Rwanda SIHI Hub. The UR was established by Law No. N° 71/2013 of 10/09/2013 and determining its mission, powers, organization and functioning. Specifically, the hub shall be hosted under the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Box 3286, Remera Campus.

Our SIHI Focus Areas

SIHI Rwanda’s focus is on introducing the concepts of social innovation initiative activities and research within the University of Rwanda and within the Rwandan health systems. It hopes to improve the understanding of social innovation in health (SIH) and engage academic and community stakeholders. It aims to also empower social innovators for self-initiated SIH activities. SIHI Rwanda works in partnership with SIHI Malawi and other SIHI network partners.

OUR ACTIVITIES

Innovation identification call

In 20 November 2020, we announced our official launch as a SIHI country research hub at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Rwanda, where we also launched our national open call for social innovations. This took place after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and meetings were allowed.

Case study research

After launching the SIHI Rwanda Hub, under the auspices of University of Rwanda, we are in the process of documenting key health innovations including the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIs), commonly known as mutuelles de sante, and other innovations in the health sector that have had a positive impact on the members of the community. The inventory is intended to also highlight the importance of storytelling among the key players in owning such innovations at the academic, community and policy levels. To this end, we are working in close collaboration with the University of Rwanda and the University of Malawi’s SIHI hub. Key members of the academia and students as well as the Ministry of Health have expressed interest in the process of documenting the identified social health innovations.

Fostering Partnerships

We have planned meetings to engage key public, community, and academic institutions in advancing social innovation in health together in Rwanda.

ABOUT US

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David a PhD holder, an Associate Professor at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth. His career in High Learning Institution training and research has spanned more than 18 years.

David was previously the Director of Research, Ethics and Consultancy, and he also served as the Dean of the School of Health Sciences. He is currently the Deputy Director of the East African Community (EAC) Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering, eHealth, Rehabilitation and Mobility Sciences hosted by the University of Rwanda. He has also been member and secretary of the Rwanda National Ethics Committee since 2013. He has published research papers related to health in various international journals.

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Spencer has two master’s degrees (LLM) in Health Law and Policy, from the American University, Washington College of Law. He is a practicing lawyer who has been providing legal services to different government institutions since 2003, including the Ministry of Health. He has served on boards and committees, and has facilitated companies, cooperatives, non-governmental and international non-governmental organizations. Spencer has authored different articles, and has experience in working with researchers and trainers at regional, national and community levels. Spencer has compiled legal research work for internationally funded projects in the areas of trade and commerce, tax and policy reforms. He is currently a member of the Rwanda National Ethics Committee.

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Theogene has a master’s degree in Science and Technology Studies with specialisation in Research Uptake and Utilization. He is a Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences and editor for the Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Theogene is also the managing director of Research Desk Limited, a research consultancy firm. He has more than seven years of experience in High Learning Institution training and research. He served as the Innovation Coordinator at the college level, and is currently the Module Leader of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Theogene has published research papers related to health in various international journals.

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Bernard is a Senior Researcher and Advisor on innovations at the University of Rwanda. He is a Doctor of General Medicine, and holds a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Rwanda. He has done extensive work in qualitative research at the university, most of which have been published.

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Diane holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Communications from the Makerere University of Kampala, Uganda. She is skilled in the areas of communication, media and events management.

Diane is an experienced administrative officer who previously managed academic research programs at Tulane University and while serving at the German Embassy. She has also worked with staff of diplomatic offices and embassies in the Eastern and Central African counties. She is fluent in French and English.