By Anne MUHIZA

The prevalence of hypertension in Rwanda is estimated to be about 15% of the 12 million Rwandans. Most people with hypertension are unscreened and do not know their hypertension status. Societal change exacerbates the problem in urban cities such as the capital of Kigali where fast food and easier transportation have contributed to the rising prevalence of hypertension in these urban areas.

"Ending the year with the start of a construction project, of the necessity and scale of MY Heart Centre, is a perfect bridge into the healthy future we want to embrace as a people." - First Lady Jeannette Kagame

"[Future] generations will applaud, and work towards, more healthcare models, like MY Heart Centre’s." - First Lady Jeannette Kagame

"We truly can reduce premature mortality due to heart illnesses and we are committed to doing so." First Lady Jeannette Kagame

"Ending the year with the start of a construction project, of the necessity and scale of MY Heart Centre, is a perfect bridge into the healthy future we want to embrace as a people." - First Lady Jeannette Kagame

However, MY Heart Centre will include a research wing, clinics, operation theatres, radiology rooms, laboratories, pharmacies, accommodation, and an administration block.

Rwanda Leads Efforts to Reduce Premature Deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases. The Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije, attended the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany through a video conference to discuss the most important issues of global health care.

In his remarks, Minister Ngamije presented the country’s five-year strategy, and a costed action plan, to tackle non-communicable diseases. This strategy and action plan details how Rwanda is fulfilling its commitment to achieving global Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.

“Some countries are currently on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 to significantly reduce premature mortality for both men and women from non-communicable diseases by 2030. I am convinced that the current Rwanda strategic plan for the next five years would allow us to make a big step forward,” said Dr. Ngamije, Minister of Health, Rwanda.

Addressing the World Health Summit, Minister Ngamije highlighted that commitment of Rwandans and all health personnel to contain COVID-19 pandemic resulted to the low case fatality rate; however, most of the deaths occurred in patients with pre-existing NCDs.

“More than 70 percent of all COVID-19 related deaths are due to non-communicable diseases. People infected with SARS COV-2 are likely to be severely affected or die if they already have an underlying non-communicable disease. We know how to reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases. If we prevent, reduce and treat non-communicable diseases now, we can reduce COVID-19 deaths.”

During the Summit, Minister Ndamije highlighted that great adherence to public health measures put in place and the massive screening and access to testing and care across the country proved to be effective in tackling NCDs.