Kigali, 14 June 2012 - The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, paid an official visit to the Republic of Rwanda at the invitation of the Government.

The visit took place from 11th - 13th June 2012

During the visit, the Regional Director met with the President, His Excellency Paul Kagame, and the national authorities of the country, including the Minister of Health and the Mayor of Kigali, the capital city.

During the meeting with His Excellency the President, the WHO Regional Director acknowledged the leadership and commitment of the government which was instrumental to rapid improvements in the areas of child health, HIV/AIDS and malaria control. They also discussed issues of importance to the region, including the establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund and the proposed creation of African Medicines Agency.

The Regional Director and his delegation meet with the Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho and senior ministry officials. They had in depth discussions on the reform of Rwanda's health system in particular, matters related to decentralization, human resources, financing, community ownership and data management. The two parties discussed ways of further strengthening the cooperation between WHO and the Government of Rwanda towards the achievement of health Millennium Development Goals.

Dr Sambo also visited health facilities in a rural district, where he interacted with health professionals and a group of community health workers. At the Kanombe Military Hospital, he visited the site where studies on a Male Circumcision device are being conducted, and pledged WHO's technical advice in this ongoing research.

Meetings were also held with the United Nations Country Team and Resident Coordinator during which they discussed issues concerning "Delivery as One" to provide a more effective support to the government and people of Rwanda.

In comments to the press at the end of the visit, the Regional Director congratulated the Government, people and Rwanda's international partners for the remarkable improvement of health indicators during the last ten years, and reiterated WHO's continued commitment to assist in sustaining the health gains and addressing the remaining health challenges.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Delanyo Dovlo, WHO Representative, Rwanda
E-mail: Dovlod [at] rw.afro.who.int (Dovlod[at]rw[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Mr Jean Bosco GASHEREBUKA, Health Information Officer- WHO/Rwanda, 
E-mail: gasherebukab [at] rw.afro.who.int (gasherebukab[at]rw[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)