Rwanda Health Promotion Strategy (2013-2018)

Year of Publication: 2013

The Rwandan government is committed to improving the health status of Rwandans. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is well aware that health promotion is a key and strategic initiative to health development. Evidence clearly shows that health promotion, when incorporated into the achievement of public health goals, makes a positive contribution to the improvement of human health. Health promotion enables individuals to acquire information, knowledge to positively influence attitudes, and skills to effect positive attitudes and behaviors; it empowers Rwandans with the tools to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Led by the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center through its Rwanda Health Communication Center, and in partnership with WHO and the USAID-funded Rwanda Family Health Project, the Rwanda Health Promotion Strategy represents national-level guidelines to assist in creating positive outcomes which are reflected in the Third Health Sector Strategic Plan (2012 – 2018), such as empowerment for health action at all levels of society and covering a wide range of priority health areas. Health is an investment in our future as a nation, and it is envisioned that this strategic document will both provide a framework for Rwanda’s bold attempt to position health promotion as a means to also invest in people’s health and place a high value on their lives and contributions they must make to achieve collective goals.