Aga Khan University Hospital, German Government Donate Mobile Vaccination Clinics to Boost Rwanda’s Immunization Efforts

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N), on November 5, 2024, donated two mobile vaccination clinics and 20 vaccine storage fridges valued at RWF 490 million (€327,000) to the Rwandan Biomedical Centre (RBC) in support of the Rwandan government’s immunization efforts.
The donation is financed by the German government through a grant offered by the German Development Bank (KfW), which has been supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in the East African Community partly through the Aga Khan Development Network agencies since 2020. The project was extended to strengthen the public health system to accelerate vaccination across the region. It has donated 20 fully equipped medical trucks, 74 fridges, 21 cold rooms, and 6 vans in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and now Rwanda.
Other items donated through the project include COVID-19 supplies and consumables comprising PCR test kits, and Personal Protective Equipment among other items.
Handing over the donation, AKUH,N Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Shekar Iyer, acknowledged the donation as a testament to the Aga Khan Development Network’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in its communities.
He said, “We are excited to partner with the government of Rwanda to increase access to immunization, a critical aspect of a healthy nation. Through this partnership, we are living our values of creating lasting impact and increasing access to quality care for all. We look forward to more partnerships with the people of Rwanda.”
He stated that Aga Khan University Hospital, with its main hospital in Nairobi and 53 outreach clinics in Kenya and Uganda, provides quality care to over 700,000 patients annually across Africa. The university prioritizes capacity building for healthcare workers through continuous medical education.
Dr. Shekar emphasized Africa’s increasing burden of immunizable diseases, including MPOX and Marburg, as the region faces a shift in disease burden, with communicable diseases like malaria, TB, and pneumonia still prevalent. This donation is timely to address this growing threat.
Prof. Dr. Claude MUVUNYI, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), expressed gratitude for the partnership and believes the donation will significantly support Rwanda’s government, Ministry of Health, and Rwanda Biomedical Centre’s efforts to maintain high vaccination coverage and ensure no one is left behind in accessing vaccine services.
He said, “The mobile clinics are timely as they align with the government’s commitment to universal health coverage by extending outreach initiatives and bringing essential services closer to the communities we serve.”
He stated that Rwandans have implemented various strategies to achieve high vaccination coverage, including various interventions. The most crucial aspect is decentralizing vaccination services to primary health levels, and offering services at health centers and health posts in Rwanda.
Prof. Dr. Muvunyi highlighted that these mobile clinics will aid outreach efforts and implement targeted interventions like NCD and other campaigns. They will also support vaccinations, which have been core during pandemics like MPOX and Marburg. To complement mobile clinics, reliable cold chains will be used, including refrigerators that expand vaccine storage capacity at health facilities. This cold chain equipment will maintain vaccine potency and ensure high-quality services to citizens.
Mr. Philippe Taflinski, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Rwanda, emphasized that despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s fading, the recent MPOX and Marburg Virus outbreaks highlight the importance of adequate medical infrastructure in responding to emerging public health challenges.
He said, “This includes the capability to quickly deliver medical services and conduct vaccination campaigns even in remote areas. Germany reiterates its commitment to collaborating with Rwanda and the East African Community (EAC) in this regard, working closely with European partners through the Team Europe Initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies in Africa (MAV+).”
He stated that the initiative aims to provide quality, safe, effective, and affordable health products. In 2022, the German federal government allocated funds for global COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, with Aga Khan University chosen as the implementation partner for the East African region due to its regional presence and successful collaborations.
Mr. Philippe highlighted the significant achievements in collaborating with Aga Khan University in establishing an effective vaccination infrastructure, resulting in over 1.4 million vaccine doses administered since 2022, reaching 3.5 million people through awareness campaigns and training 19,000 health professionals.