[AHD] Review of the topics covered in the last quarter

We have discussed universal health coverage, family planning and combating tuberculosis in Africa. We have highlighted the importance of universal coverage for all Africans, especially the poor who care barely healthcare. We also noted the relevance of strong primary healthcare in the development of a sustainable health systems that can effectively tackle contemporary and emerging diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases. We boldly asserted that family planning is not just a woman's business, it is an all inclusive issue that requires the support of the man, the community, healthcare providers and the government.

These noble assertions can not achieved without appropriate leadership at all levels of health. Rwanda has been applauded for significant universal coverage of its citizens and improved health outcomes over the last decade. Leadership is penciled as a key factor. This will be our focus this week. According to Management Sciences for Health, "Rwanda’s extraordinary transformation has been widely attributed to strong central governance. Recent coverage in The Atlantic magazine and British Medical Journal has recognized the importance of Vision 2020, a development strategy that has set the tone and direction for Rwanda’s recovery. The government has used the strategy to align its efforts and those of the donor community."

What role did leadership in the success of Rwanda's healthcare? What lessons in leadership and management exist for other countries in Africa, as the race to universal coverage gains momentum across the continent?