On September 25, 2026, Rwanda's Prime Minister, Dr. Nsengiyumva, addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasizing the need for Africa to strengthen its preparedness and response to emerging pandemics. He stressed that the continent should not wait for a pandemic to occur before investing in preparedness measures. Dr. Nsengiyumva highlighted the importance of collaboration between African countries and their international partners to enhance pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Nsengiyumva noted that the world is facing significant health challenges due to climate change, human and animal migration, and the increasing risk of pandemics. He cited the COVID-19 pandemic, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola as examples of the devastating impact of infectious diseases on global health. The Prime Minister emphasized that investing in pandemic preparedness is crucial, as the current funding for health infrastructure is insufficient to address the growing needs.
Rwanda has gained valuable experience in responding to pandemics, having dealt with various outbreaks, including COVID-19, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola. Dr. Nsengiyumva highlighted the country's robust health infrastructure, which includes well-trained health workers, disease surveillance systems, laboratories, and hospitals. During the 2024 Marburg outbreak, Rwanda's health system played a critical role in containing the virus, with over 9.5 million people screened and a relatively low fatality rate of 22.7%.
The Prime Minister emphasized that pandemic preparedness should be an integral part of a country's health system, rather than an ad-hoc response to emergencies. He stressed that investing in preparedness measures is essential to mitigate the impact of pandemics, which can have far-reaching consequences for global health, economies, and societies. Dr. Nsengiyumva also highlighted the importance of the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Rwanda is collaborating with the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness and response. The Prime Minister announced that the country will continue to work with the fund to strengthen its health system, including the construction of a national laboratory for animal diseases. This will enable Rwanda to quickly detect and respond to emerging threats.
Dr. Nsengiyumva emphasized that pandemic preparedness is a collective responsibility that requires the engagement of all countries, international organizations, and stakeholders. He called for increased investment in pandemic preparedness, particularly in low-resource settings, to ensure that countries have the necessary capacities to respond to emerging threats.
The Prime Minister's call to action underscores the need for Africa to take a proactive approach to pandemic preparedness and response. By investing in health infrastructure, surveillance systems, and research, African countries can reduce the risk of pandemics and mitigate their impact on human and animal health. The international community must also play a critical role in supporting these efforts to ensure a safer and more resilient global health landscape.
Key points
- Dr. Nsengiyumva urges Africa to enhance pandemic preparedness and response.
- Rwanda has gained experience in responding to pandemics, including COVID-19, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola.
- The Prime Minister emphasizes the importance of the One Health approach and international collaboration in pandemic preparedness.
