Country Story

Non-communicable diseases, especially high blood pressure and diabetes, are rising in Rwanda's rural districts. Many people only find out they are ill when the disease is already advanced.

In Musanze District, community health workers took part in a project to strengthen NCD screening at village level. They were trained to measure blood pressure and blood sugar, record the results, and refer people at high risk to the nearest health centre.

Screening days were held on weekly market days and after Umuganda community activities, when many people are gathered. That made it easy to reach adults who rarely visit a health facility.

Jean Bosco, a 52-year-old farmer, recalls: "I felt fine, but they told me my blood pressure was high. I went to the health centre and started treatment. Now I know how to look after myself and I've cut down on salt."

Besides screening, the project gave education on healthy diets, physical activity and reducing tobacco and alcohol use. Health centres also improved their follow-up systems so that patients keep up their treatment.

Lessons learnt:

- Screening at community level helps find patients early, before complications.

- Using community gatherings like markets and Umuganda increases participation.

- Strong links between community health workers and health centres are key to continuity of care.

This experience supports Member States' efforts to speed up integrated, high-impact NCD interventions and to share best practices across the ECSA region