Rwanda is set to introduce digital clinics—virtual healthcare facilities that use digital technology to provide remote medical services—to address its shortage of healthcare professionals, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The country currently has only one healthcare worker per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of four per 1,000. To meet this standard, Rwanda would need to quadruple its medical workforce.
Dr Menelas Nkeshimana, Head of the Department of Health Workforce Development at MoH, emphasised that digital clinics will be a crucial part of the government’s long-term healthcare strategy.
Read also: Ethiopian, Rwandan Securities Exchanges sign MoU to advance regional financial integration
Enhancing specialist consultations and expanding access
Nkeshimana highlighted that several countries, including Saudi Arabia, have successfully implemented similar systems, enabling specialists to provide consultations across multiple hospitals without relocating.
“You can be a specialist in one facility and consult patients remotely in up to ten hospitals,” he explained. “The key is having the infrastructure to ensure real-time communication between patients and healthcare providers.”
Initially, Rwanda’s digital clinics will focus on remote consultations, but they are expected to expand to provide access to specialist medical services. This will allow patients in underserved areas to receive expert medical care without traveling long distances.
Additionally, Rwandan hospitals will be connected to international medical centres, enabling patients to access specialised treatments not available locally.
“This initiative extends beyond the Ministry of Health and involves collaboration with agencies such as the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) and the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC),” Nkeshimana added.
Infrastructure readiness and implementation
Several healthcare facilities in Rwanda already have the digital infrastructure necessary to support virtual clinics, thanks to the country’s rapid digitization efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These facilities are ready to implement digital clinics once the regulatory framework is in place. There are plans to expand the system, particularly in regions with a shortage of healthcare workers,” Nkeshimana noted.
The rollout of digital clinics is awaiting regulations under a draft healthcare law currently pending parliamentary approval. This legislation includes provisions to regulate digital health services, ensuring security, licensing, and confidentiality of patient data.
Read also: Rwandan insurtech Pula awarded $10 million grant
Bridging the healthcare workforce gap
During a recent parliamentary session, Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana reiterated the urgent need to address Rwanda’s shortage of healthcare workers. He noted that digital clinics could help bridge this gap by allowing specialists to consult and treat patients remotely.
“With technology, a small number of healthcare workers in a given hospital can receive virtual support from specialists, allowing them to handle more patients effectively,” he said.
Nsanzimana also emphasised the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving healthcare services, stating that AI-powered tools can analyze medical images to detect diseases, significantly enhancing access to diagnostics in remote areas.
Rwanda aims to become the fourth African country—after South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia—to meet WHO’s recommended healthcare worker ratio. However, the country continues to face challenges stemming from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which resulted in the loss of 80 percent of its healthcare workforce.
The Draft Law Regulating Healthcare Services outlines key provisions for digital health services. Article 63 mandates that providers of digital health services must obtain a licence, while Article 64 underscores the importance of security and confidentiality, requiring strong encryption protocols to protect patient data.
Digital clinics are part of broader efforts to integrate technology into Rwanda’s healthcare system. The initiative follows the introduction of platforms like E-Ubuzima, which allows patients to access medical records online, reducing wait times for consultations and medication.