Rwanda

The Rwanda country profile provides an overview of the community health system in Rwanda according to the most up-to-date policies available. It particularly focuses on the country’s community health providers, the structures that support them, and the services they deliver across many health areas – with a spotlight on family planning. The profile is targeted towards policymakers, program implementers, donors, researchers, and others interested in the country’s community health system.

The table below captures key information from the full, downloadable country profile. The complete CHS Catalog data set is also available for download, including information for Rwanda.

Community Health Quick Stats

Main Community Health Policy / Strategy | Last Updated
  • Third Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP), July 2012–June 2018 | 2012
  • National Community Health Strategic Plan, July 2013–June 2018 | 2013
  • Community Health Program Handbook | 2015
  • Health Sector Policy | 2015
  • National Community Health Policy | 2015
Number of Community Health Provider Cadres

2 main cadres

  • Agents de santé maternelle (ASM)
  • Binomes
Recommended Number of Community Health Providers
  • 14,873 ASM1
  • 29,746 binomes2
Estimated Number of Community Health Providers

45,011 ASM and binomes combined3
Recommended Ratio of Community Health Providers to Beneficiaries
  • 1 ASM : 1 village, or approximately 100-150 households
  • 1 binome (pair of one male and one female community health worker) : 1 village, or approximately 100-150 households
Community-Level Data Collection Yes
Levels of Management of Community-Level Service Delivery

National, district, sector, cell, village
Key Community Health Program(s)

Community-based Nutrition Program (CBNP); Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) Program; Community Maternal Newborn Health; Community- based Provision of Family Planning; Non-communicable Diseases and HIV/AIDS

1 Policy recommends one ASM per village. As of 2013, there were 14,873 villages, resulting in a recommended number of 14,873 ASM.
2 Policy recommends 1 binome, or pair of community health workers, per village. As of 2013, there were 14,873 villages, resulting in a recommended number of 14,873 binomes, or 29,746 community health workers.
3 As of 2013.

Key Policies and Strategies

Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Republic of Rwanda. 2010. National Gender Policy (accessed July 2017).

———. 2014. Umugoroba W’Ababyeyi Strategy. Kigali: Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (accessed July 2017).

Ministry of Health, Maternal, Child and Community Health Division, Republic of Rwanda. 2015. National Postnatal Care Guideline for Mother and Newborn.

Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. 2009. Community Performance-Based Financing User Guide (accessed July 2017).

———. 2010. Home-Based Maternal and Child Care: Training Module for Community Maternal Health Workers.

———. 2011a. The Community Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Counselling Package: Facilitator Guide.

———. 2011b. The Community Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Counselling Package: Participant Materials.

———. 2012a. Family Planning Policy (accessed July 2017).

———. 2012b. Family Planning Strategic Plan 2012–2016 (accessed July 2017).

———. 2012c. Third Health Sector Strategic Plan, July 2012–June 2018 (accessed July 2017).

———. 2013a. National Community Health Strategic Plan, July 2013–June 2018. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2013b. User Training Manual, CHWs and Supervisors: Tracking 1,000 Days RapidSMS Rwanda.

———. 2014a. National Human Resources for Health Policy. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2014b. Trainer’s Guide: Integrated Community Case Management of Childhood Illness. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2015a. Community Based Provision of Family Planning Trainer Guide.

———. 2015b. Community Health Program Handbook.

———. 2015c. Health Sector Policy. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2015d. National Community Health Policy. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2015e. National List of Essential Medicines for Adults, 6th Edition. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).

———. 2015f. National List of Essential Medicines for Paediatrics, First Edition. Kigali: Ministry of Health (accessed July 2017).