The 2024 Health Research and Policy Conference: 20-21 May 2024

Abstract

Theme: Advancing Research for a Healthy Rwanda

The 2024 Health Research and Policy Conference, held on May 20-21, 2024, at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda, was poised to be a landmark event in Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to advance health research and policy. With the theme “Advancing Research for a Healthy Rwanda,” this conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the health sector, including researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and development partners. The event served as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and exploring innovative approaches to addressing Rwanda’s most pressing health challenges. 

This conference was a pivotal occasion, including with the launch of two critical frameworks: the National Health Research Agenda (2024-2029) and the National Strategic Plan for Research Innovation and Data Science (2024-2029). Both documents represent comprehensive blueprints for prioritizing and guiding health research activities in Rwanda, ensuring that research efforts align with the country’s health needs and strategic goals. The National Health Research Agenda focuses on leveraging research to address key health issues such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, climate change and emergency health issues, antimicrobial resistance and others. Meanwhile, the Strategic Plan for Research Innovation and Data Science emphasizes the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making and technological innovations in healthcare. 

One of the key goals of this conference was to create a connected ecosystem where research, policy, and practice intersect to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. Rwanda, like many nations, faces a range of health challenges, including the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases and limited resources. The conference provided a platform for addressing the existing challenges through collaborative discussions and knowledge exchange among participants. In addition, the conference features special sessions focused on building human resource capacities in research and development (R&D), with a particular emphasis on fostering a culture of innovation. These sessions showcased strategies for enhancing the skills and expertise of health researchers in Rwanda, ensuring that the country is well-positioned to lead future advancements in healthcare. 

This included the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. This competition encouraged young researchers to showcase their innovative work, fostering a new generation of health researchers dedicated to addressing the unique health needs of Rwanda and the broader East African region. 

Overall, the 2024 Health Research and Policy Conference was a vital step in strengthening Rwanda’s health research ecosystem. It built on the success of previous achievements and commitments to promoting research as a key driver of healthcare improvement. The insights and innovations shared through this conference, reflected in the abstracts within this publication, serve as a valuable resource for advancing research, policy, and practice in Rwanda’s health sector for years to come.