4 research outputs found
Health Professional Training and Capacity Strengthening Through International Academic Partnerships: The First Five Years of the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda
Abstract
Background: The Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program (HRH Program) is a 7-year (2012-2019) health
professional training initiative led by the Government of Rwanda with the goals of training a large, diverse, and competent
health workforce and strengthening the capacity of academic institutions in Rwanda.
Methods: The data for this organizational case study was collected through official reports from the Rwanda Ministry of
Health (MoH) and 22 participating US academic institutions, databases from the MoH and the College of Medicine and
Health Sciences (CMHS) in Rwanda, and surveys completed by the co-authors.
Results: In the first 5 years of the HRH Program, a consortium of US academic institutions has deployed an average of 99
visiting faculty per year to support 22 training programs, which are on track to graduate almost 4600 students by 2019.
The HRH Program has also built capacity within the CMHS by promoting the recruitment of Rwandan faculty and the
establishment of additional partnerships and collaborations with the US academic institutions.
Conclusion: The milestones achieved by the HRH Program have been substantial although some challenges persist.
These challenges include adequately supporting the visiting faculty; pairing them with Rwandan faculty (twinning);
ensuring strong communication and coordination among stakeholders; addressing mismatches in priorities between
donors and implementers; the execution of a sustainability strategy; and the decision by one of the donors not to renew
funding beyond March 2017. Over the next 2 academic years, it is critical for the sustainability of the 22 training programs
supported by the HRH Program that the health-related Schools at the CMHS significantly scale up recruitment of new
Rwandan faculty. The HRH Program can serve as a model for other training initiatives implemented in countries affected
by a severe shortage of health professionals
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UV-Photokeratitis Associated with Germicidal Lamps Purchased during the COVID-19 Pandemic
To report photokeratitis caused by the improper use of germicidal lamps purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Case series.
Seven patients presented with acute ocular surface pain after exposure to UV-emitting germicidal lamps. Visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 13 of 14 eyes (93%). Anterior segment examination revealed varying degrees of conjunctival injection and diffusely distributed punctate epithelial erosions (PEEs) in every patient. No intraocular inflammation was identified across the cohort and all fundus examinations were normal. Treatment varied by provider and included artificial tears alone or in combination with antibiotic ointments and/or topical steroids. Five patients were followed via telehealth, one patient returned for an in-office visit, and one patient was lost to follow-up. Five of six patients endorsed complete resolution of symptoms within 2-3 days.
Patients should follow manufacturer recommendations when using UV-emitting germicidal lamps and avoid direct exposure to the ocular surface
Rwanda 20 years on: investing in life
Two decades ago, the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda led to the deaths of 1 million people, and the displacement of millions more. Injury and trauma were followed by the effects of a devastated health system and economy. In the years that followed, a new course set by a new government set into motion equity-oriented national policies focusing on social cohesion and people-centred development. Premature mortality rates have fallen precipitously in recent years, and life expectancy has doubled since the mid-1990s. Here we reflect on the lessons learned in rebuilding Rwanda's health sector during the past two decades, as the country now prepares itself to take on new challenges in health-care delivery