AGP Executive Report

Ebola Preparedness Boost: The UN has allocated $2m from its Central Emergency Response Fund to strengthen Ebola outbreak preparedness in Rwanda, including training health workers on infection prevention and control, case detection and reporting, pre-positioning PPE and testing supplies, and expanding surveillance and risk communication. Maternal & Newborn Care Spotlight: An Israeli pediatric cardiologist flew to Kigali to help save an 11-day-old baby with critical pulmonary valve stenosis, performing a balloon procedure at King Faisal Hospital after the newborn was stabilized following referral from four regional hospitals. HIV Funding Alarm: At AIDS 2026 in Rio, UNAIDS and KFF report global HIV response funding fell 25% in 2025 due largely to US cuts, raising fears of treatment and prevention setbacks even as some countries increase domestic spending. Hepatitis B Practical Guidance: Africa CDC released an operational toolkit for hepatitis B prevention, diagnosis and management, aiming to close the gap between what’s known and what’s delivered in district facilities. Digital Health & AI Momentum: Bill Gates visited Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre, highlighting real-time health data and AI use to improve service delivery and disease preparedness. Connectivity for Health Services: Rwanda plans to phase out 2G and 3G by 2027 to support faster, more reliable digital services including digital health platforms.

Ebola Preparedness Boost: The UN has released $2 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to strengthen Rwanda’s Ebola readiness, including training health workers, pre-positioning PPE and testing supplies, and expanding surveillance and community risk communication as cases rise in neighbouring DRC. HIV Funding Alarm: At AIDS 2026 in Rio, UNAIDS and KFF warn global HIV response funding fell 25% in 2025—driven largely by US cuts—threatening progress and risking resurgence unless donor support and prevention services are restored. Rwanda Health-AI Push: Bill Gates visited Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre, highlighting how real-time health data and AI are being used to improve service delivery and help the country detect disease threats earlier. Digital Health Enablers: Rwanda announced it will phase out 2G and 3G by 2027 to expand faster 4G and 5G, aiming to improve access to digital services including online and digital health platforms. Local Health Workforce Focus: A separate report argues Rwanda’s health workforce needs more than clinical skills—calling for broader capacity to support system delivery and innovation.

Ebola Preparedness Boost: The UN has released $2m from the Central Emergency Response Fund to strengthen Ebola preparedness in Rwanda, including training health workers on infection prevention and case detection, pre-positioning PPE and testing supplies, and expanding traveller screening and wastewater surveillance as DRC cases rise. HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS reports that global HIV response funding plunged in 2025, driven by reduced donor support, putting progress at risk—about 9m people living with HIV still lack treatment, with Rwanda among countries that have cut new infections sharply since 2010. Rwanda’s AI for Health Capacity: Rwanda’s UMVA AI is joining Africa’s push to build local AI capability, while Rwanda continues positioning itself as an AI hub—an approach that could support earlier disease detection and faster health system decisions. Health Workforce Focus: A separate piece asks why Rwanda’s health workforce needs more than clinical skills, pointing to the broader capabilities required for safer, stronger care delivery. Regional Health Regulation: Rwanda-linked coverage highlights a major Accra forum bringing together African medical regulators to strengthen patient safety and professional standards.

HIV Funding Crisis: New reports tied to AIDS 2026 in Rio warn that global HIV response funding plunged in 2025, driven by steep declines in US support—raising fears of renewed infections and deaths as millions still lack life-saving treatment. Ebola Watch (DRC–Uganda): Health authorities say Ebola case tracking is slipping as insecurity and community skepticism grow; labs have run out of testing kits and contact tracing coverage has fallen, complicating containment as the outbreak spreads across borders. Maternal & Child Health Angle (Rwanda): A separate Rwanda-focused piece highlights how the country cut maternal deaths by over 80%, underscoring what strong health systems can achieve. Food Security: Coverage notes hunger is falling across Africa for the first time in a decade, but stresses the next challenge is making nutritious diets affordable and protecting gains. Local Health & Environment: A Rwanda-linked study flags that popular live fence plants may be invasive and harmful to ecosystems and farm productivity—an indirect hit to nutrition and livelihoods.

Ebola Response in Crisis: DRC and Africa CDC say they can’t track new Ebola cases fast enough as contact tracing drops to 56.5% and WHO reports lab testing kits have run out, with insecurity and misinformation worsening containment. Regional Health Security: MONUSCO moved to protect a Nyakunde Ebola Treatment Centre after attacks and clashes, highlighting how safety for facilities and patients is now part of outbreak control. Rwanda Nutrition & Care: Solid’Africa marks 15 years since “food is medicine,” with First Lady Jeannette Kagame celebrating nutrition support reaching over 12 million meals for patients and schoolchildren. AI Skills Push in Rwanda: Cabinet approved the Rwanda Institute of Computing under the University of Rwanda, launching advanced AI and cybersecurity degrees from September 2026. Community Health Access: Jeannette Kagame launched the first Imbuto Hub in Bugesera, with plans for 30 hubs nationwide combining childcare, health services, learning, and wellness support. Health Journalism Standards: Rwanda trains journalists to avoid biased crime reporting and protect the presumption of innocence.

Ebola Response Under Strain in DRC: Congo’s Ebola fight is getting harder as health teams report gaps in tracking new cases, contact tracing coverage dropping, and major labs running out of testing kits while violence and mistrust disrupt care and surveillance. Regional Security Meets Public Health: UN peacekeepers moved to protect an Ebola Treatment Centre near Nyakunde after attacks and vandalism, underscoring how safety directly affects hospital access and outbreak control. Rwanda’s Health System Gains Attention: Rwanda’s maternal health progress is highlighted as a standout model, alongside a reminder that nutrition support still matters—Solid’Africa marked 15 years of “food is medicine” for patients and schoolchildren. Community Care Expansion: First Lady Jeannette Kagame launched the first Imbuto Hub in Bugesera, bringing childcare, health and wellness counselling, learning and skills training under one roof, with more hubs planned nationwide. AI Skills for Health & Beyond: Rwanda approved a new University of Rwanda institute focused on AI and cybersecurity, aiming to strengthen the workforce for the AI era. Food Security Signal: FAO reports hunger has eased across Africa for the first time in a decade, but the next challenge is making nutritious diets affordable.

AI & Skills: Rwanda’s University of Rwanda will launch the Rwanda Institute of Computing under it, offering advanced degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity from September 2026, aiming to grow local talent for the AI era. Community Health & Nutrition: First Lady Jeannette Kagame launched the first Imbuto Hub in Bugesera, combining childcare, health and wellness counselling, libraries, ICT learning, sports and vocational training, with 30 hubs planned nationwide. Maternal Health Model: A feature highlights how Rwanda’s health system design—vaccination scale-up, community health workers and Mutuelles de Santé—has driven major drops in maternal and under-five mortality. Regional Chronic Disease Care: WHO reports that PEN-Plus has reached over 170,000 Africans across 20 countries with specialized care for severe chronic diseases, expanding services from primary facilities to district hospitals. Ebola & Security: Reports from eastern DRC warn that violence is disrupting Ebola response, with low surveillance and attacks affecting treatment access and patient identification. Health Trade & Supply Chains: A look at Africa’s pharma logistics stresses that border delays and cold-chain risks can directly affect outcomes, underscoring the need for stronger regional systems. Cleanliness & Public Health Culture: Uganda’s mandatory National Cleaning Days face legal and religious pushback, spotlighting how sanitation policies intersect with rights and community participation.

Ebola Response Under Strain in Eastern DRC: Escalating violence in North Kivu and Ituri is disrupting surveillance, vaccination and patient access, with cases rising and communities reportedly hiding suspected infections—raising the risk of further spread into Uganda. Rwanda Health System Spotlight: A new feature highlights how Rwanda cut maternal deaths by over 80% through community health workers, expanded rural clinic networks, and Mutuelles de Santé coverage. AI Skills Push in Rwanda: The University of Rwanda approved a new Rwanda Institute of Computing under its umbrella, launching advanced AI and cybersecurity degrees from September 2026. Community Health & Nutrition: First Lady Jeannette Kagame launched the first Imbuto Hub in Bugesera, combining childcare, health and wellness counselling, sports, ICT learning and vocational training, with 30 hubs planned nationwide. Food Security Gains: FAO reports hunger improved across Africa for the first time in ten years, but warns the next challenge is making nutritious diets affordable. Pharma Supply Chain Focus: Coverage stresses that strengthening pharmaceutical logistics across borders and cold chains is critical during outbreaks like Ebola.

Ebola Response Under Strain in DRC: Fighting and insecurity in eastern DR Congo are disrupting Ebola surveillance, vaccination and hospital access, with the outbreak now linked to Uganda and deaths surpassing 1,000 as containment teams struggle to reach communities. Security Protects Care: In Ituri, UN peacekeepers moved in after attacks on an Ebola Treatment Centre, aiming to safeguard Nyakunde General Referral Hospital and restore calm so residents can return and seek care. Pharma Logistics Focus: A new look at Africa’s pharma supply chains highlights how border delays, cold-chain failures and poor roads can directly affect patient outcomes during outbreaks—pushing for stronger regional systems. Rwanda Maternal Health Model: One report credits Rwanda’s health system design—vaccination, community health workers and Mutuelles de Santé—for cutting maternal mortality by over 80%. Imbuto Hub Expansion: First Lady Jeannette Kagame launched the first Imbuto Hub in Bugesera, with health and wellness counselling, childcare, digital learning and vocational training, and plans for 30 hubs nationwide. AI Skills Push: Rwanda approved a Rwanda Institute of Computing under the University of Rwanda to launch advanced AI and cybersecurity degrees from September 2026. Nutrition as Care: Solid’Africa marked 15 years, scaling from homemade meals for hospital patients to serving over 12 million meals across Rwanda. Media Ethics Training: Rwanda journalists were trained to avoid biased crime reporting that can stigmatize suspects and undermine the presumption of innocence.

Ebola Response: Eastern DRC’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 deaths, with 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths reported, and contact tracing still lagging at about 77% of known contacts monitored—health teams warn the outbreak may not have peaked yet. Maternal Health Risk: The crisis is raising fears for pregnant women and routine care, as fear of infection keeps people away from hospitals, threatening already high maternal mortality. Regional Preparedness: Neighbouring countries, including Uganda, are on alert as the virus spreads across provinces and has crossed borders. Food & Nutrition Pressure: A UN/FAO update says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, with the daily cost nearly doubling to Sh582—an affordability shock that also matters for Rwanda’s nutrition planning. Media & Public Trust: Rwanda journalists were trained to avoid biased crime reporting, with lawyers stressing suspects must be treated as innocent until proven guilty. Local Health Governance: Uganda’s mandatory National Cleaning Days face legal and Sabbath objections, highlighting how public health campaigns can collide with constitutional and religious rights.

Ebola Response in Focus: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo has surpassed 1,000 deaths, with 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths reported, as health teams struggle with lagging contact tracing (about 77% of known contacts monitored) and the lack of an approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. Regional Health Security: The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri (nearly 90% of cases) but has spread to multiple provinces and reached Uganda, raising alarm for cross-border preparedness. Rwanda Health Leadership: During a visit to Rwanda’s health intelligence centre, Bill Gates highlighted the country’s real-time health data system and Rwanda’s push for stronger health and AI capabilities. Maternal Health Message: Jeannette Kagame urged Africa to implement existing solutions first to save mothers, tying prevention to practical delivery. Nutrition Affordability: A UN/FAO report says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, with Rwanda listed at 67.7%—a reminder that nutrition access is a regional health issue. Health Systems Financing: President John Dramani Mahama called for self-reliant African health systems and stronger pharmaceutical production at an AU summit on universal health coverage and ending AIDS.

Ebola Emergency: Eastern DRC’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 deaths, with confirmed cases rising to about 2,536 and transmission still sustained as contact tracing lags. Maternal Health Focus: First Lady Jeannette Kagame says the biggest barrier to saving mothers is now “operational” delivery of proven care, citing postpartum hemorrhage treatment, magnesium sulphate for eclampsia, kangaroo mother care, and better maternal nutrition. Health Sovereignty & Medicines: Ghana’s President John Mahama urged African leaders to accelerate local production of medicines, vaccines and medical equipment, warning that Africa imports most medicines and vaccines and risks shortages during crises; WHO also warned progress on HIV, TB, malaria and maternal health could slip without higher domestic health investment. Rwanda Health & AI: Bill Gates visited Rwanda’s health intelligence work, highlighting real-time health data systems, while Gates argued AI could help Africa tackle healthcare gaps if deployed locally. Training & Eye Care: VR simulation is being used to train cataract surgeons at Korle Bu, with residents logging hundreds of hours before operating on patients. Nutrition Affordability: A UN/FAO report says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, underscoring regional nutrition pressure relevant to Rwanda’s own food and health planning. Higher Education Funding: Mastercard Foundation launched the AHEFT Prize with a US$500m commitment, including Rwanda’s University of Rwanda as a laureate—supporting health-related education pathways.

Ebola Update (DRC): The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has surpassed 1,000 deaths, with 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths reported, as health teams race to contain spread and improve contact monitoring. Maternal Health (Rwanda): First Lady Jeannette Kagame says the biggest barrier to saving mothers is no longer new discoveries, but getting proven interventions to every community—citing postpartum haemorrhage care, magnesium sulphate, kangaroo mother care, and better maternal nutrition. Health Tech (Rwanda): Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre is using AI and real-time data to spot disease threats earlier, shifting surveillance from reacting to outbreaks to preparing before they spread. AI & Care Quality (Rwanda): A Rwanda-focused study finds AI “judges” can cut evaluation costs, but they still miss key clinician concerns—especially demographic bias—highlighting the need for human review in clinical decision support. One Health (Rwamagana): 120 community leaders and health workers were trained to prevent zoonotic disease risks and promote safe coexistence with bats, using science-based practices to protect both people and wildlife. Health Sovereignty (AU Summit): Ghana’s President Mahama and WHO leaders urged Africa to strengthen health systems and accelerate local pharmaceutical and vaccine production to reduce import dependence. Nutrition Access (Regional): A UN/FAO report says 43.9 million Kenyans can’t afford a healthy diet, with the daily cost rising to Sh582—an affordability warning for the region’s nutrition and health outcomes.

Health Sovereignty Push: President John Mahama urged African leaders to accelerate local manufacture of medicines, vaccines and medical equipment at the AU Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra, warning that import dependence leaves the continent exposed during crises. Rwanda Health Tech Spotlight: Bill Gates visited Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre, where real-time data from hospitals, health centres and community health workers is used to improve waiting times, ambulance dispatch, disease surveillance and resource allocation. AI for Disease Early Warning: Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre is also being positioned as a model for using AI and real-time health data to flag outbreak risks earlier and guide faster responses. Clinical AI Quality Check (Rwanda): A study comparing “LLM-as-a-judge” evaluations with local clinician ratings in Rwanda found automated systems can miss key concerns, including potential demographic bias. Eye Care Access: Cure Blindness Project released its 2025 Impact Report, reporting 315,000+ sight-restoring surgeries and expanded training and partner support to strengthen eye health systems. Community Zoonotic Prevention (Rwamagana): 120 community leaders and health workers were trained to reduce zoonotic disease risks, focusing on safe coexistence with bats.

Ebola Alert in the Region: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with at least 2,344 cases and 930 deaths reported since May 15, prompting neighboring countries to tighten border screening, reinforce infection prevention, and activate emergency response plans. Maternal Health Test Trial: Shuwen Biotech has started a South Africa clinical study of CercaTest RED™, a point-of-care urine test aimed at short-term prediction of preeclampsia risk. Rwanda Digital Health Push: Bill Gates visited Mwulire Health Center in Eastern Province, meeting community health workers and highlighting Rwanda’s push toward digitizing care with a community electronic medical records system to improve malaria screening and treatment. Medicines Safety Pact: The African Medicines Agency and Medicines for Africa signed an MoU in Kigali to tackle substandard and falsified medical products through stronger regulatory cooperation and public engagement. Health Education Boost: The University of Rwanda won a Mastercard Foundation AHEFT Prize (Excellence in Health), recognizing its role in training thousands of health professionals and reaching communities through outreach and clinical placements. Road Safety in Focus: A minibus-truck crash in Kamonyi District killed nine and injured 13, with victims taken to nearby health facilities.

AI & Growth: The IMF says AI could lift Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP by up to 4% over the next decade if governments speed up digital infrastructure, skills, and governance. Rwanda Health Tech: Bill Gates visited Rwanda’s health intelligence work in Mwulire, meeting community health workers and touring a syringe manufacturing site, as Rwanda pushes digital public health tools like community electronic medical records. Maternal Health Innovation: A new point-of-care urine test (CercaTest RED™) is entering a South African clinical study to help predict short-term preeclampsia risk, aiming to improve triage where specialist care is limited. Eye Health Results: Cure Blindness Project released its 2025 impact report, citing 315,000+ sight-restoring surgeries and expanded training for local clinicians. Ebola Preparedness (DRC region): Neighbouring countries stepped up border screening, infection prevention, and emergency plans as DRC’s Ebola outbreak surpasses 2,000 cases and 900+ deaths. Medicines Safety: Rwanda hosted an AMA–Medicines for Africa MoU to tackle substandard and falsified medical products through stronger regulatory cooperation and public engagement. Higher Education for Health: The Mastercard Foundation launched the AHEFT Prize, with Rwanda’s University of Rwanda named among inaugural winners for health-focused education transformation.