In a bold step to enhance public health resilience, the Health Development Initiative (HDI), in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), has launched a project aimed at strengthening cross-border community preparedness for Mpox and other high-risk epidemic-prone diseases.
The initiative leverages the Community-Centred Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) model, a participatory approach that actively involves communities in planning, prevention, and response to public health threats. By integrating digital feedback dashboards, mobile education units, and edutainment activities, the project aims to foster real-time information sharing, behavioral change, and cross-border coordination.
Empowering Communities at the Frontline
Dr. Boyiga Bodinga, Migration and Health Programme Officer at IOM, emphasized the importance of community involvement in epidemic preparedness. “For any disease of concern, the community must be aware, know how to prevent it, and understand how to seek care. Our RCCE strategy ensures these principles are applied at points of entry,” he said.
The project directly targets border-community residents within 10 kilometers of key points of entry, including Rubavu, Rusizi, Rusumo, Kagitumbu, Galuna, and Cyanika. Secondary beneficiaries include district health authorities, surveillance officers, and national institutions, who will gain enhanced coordination capacity through harmonized communication tools and feedback mechanisms.
A Data-Driven, Adaptive Approach
Activities under the RCCE project will include community consultations, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) surveys, awareness campaigns, and real-time reporting mechanisms. Communities will be empowered to share alerts and feedback via hotlines, WhatsApp groups, and reporting platforms, ensuring rapid identification and mitigation of emerging health threats.
Dr. Dan Lutasingwa, HDI’s Health Technical Advisor, explained, “By understanding what communities already know and where gaps exist, we can co-create tailored messages and interventions that are practical, culturally sensitive, and actionable.”
RBC: Building Preparedness Beyond Emergencies
Jean-Bosco Ntirenganya, Division Manager of the Rwanda Health Communication Centre (RHCC) at RBC, stressed the significance of proactive RCCE initiatives. “Engaging communities when there is no outbreak allows us to plan strategically, strengthen systems, and focus on long-term resilience rather than purely reactive measures,” he said.
Olivier Nsekuye, Acting Director of the Surveillance Unit at RBC, highlighted the project’s focus on high-risk epidemic-prone diseases, including Mpox, viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, Rift Valley Fever, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and polio. Waterborne and respiratory diseases, including cholera and influenza, are also key targets to ensure holistic epidemic preparedness.
Why Cross-Border Preparedness Matters
Rwanda’s dense population, regional mobility, and role as a trade hub make border communities particularly vulnerable to disease spread. RCCE interventions in these areas are critical for early detection, rapid response, and minimizing public health risks. By combining community engagement, digital innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the project sets a new standard for epidemic preparedness.
Dr. Lutasingwa summarized the initiative’s vision: “Effective RCCE is more than information dissemination—it builds resilient communities, ensures orderly migration, and strengthens health systems, ultimately safeguarding both residents and travelers.”
Strategic Impact
The RCCE project represents a model of integrated, rights-based public health preparedness. By linking community knowledge, practical interventions, and real-time monitoring, Rwanda is establishing a scalable framework to manage epidemic-prone diseases—one that can inform regional approaches across Africa.
Source: The New Times
