Rwanda Galvanizes Healthcare Readiness, Citizen Support, and Technology to Flatten the Coronavirus Curve in the Land of a Thousand Hills

Abstract

Rwanda has experienced one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 infection globally, ranking seventh on a composite measure, despite being a poor, landlocked country. This chapter draws on the framework of Shultz et al. (The handbook of community well-being (pp. 403–422). Dordrecht: Springer, 2017) to interrogate the lessons learned, and the factors contributing to, Rwanda’s successful intervention against the spread of COVID-19. Our analysis shows that Rwanda’s “catalytic institutions” were ready to provide healthcare, quickly deploying strategies learned from the experience of previous outbreaks of infectious diseases, notably Ebola in 2018. The initial response was rapid, coordinated, and scientifically informed; supportive social programs were put in place, with deep community involvement, alongside innovation and trust in the government and state communications. Rwanda’s success illustrates the need to decolonize knowledge production and policy dissemination. As policy makers sought models to emulate in the face of this pandemic, few were looking to a small, landlocked African country. They consequently missed a major opportunity to emulate its life-saving strategies.