The Beyond2020 initiative is improving access to critical healthcare services in rural areas, making a remarkable impact in the lives of more than 20,000 Rwandans. To achieve this, qualified nurse-entrepreneurs are being empowered to open and manage sustainable, tech-enabled, primary care clinics to better serve patients and improve the accessibility of essential medicines in rural communities. In addition, the initiative, which builds on the humanitarian and sustainability legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, enables the nurse-entrepreneurs to provide direct surveillance, screening, and referral of any suspected cases of COVID-19 or other emerging epidemics. H.E. Hazza Mohammed Al Qahtani, UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, said: “The UAE is proud to support critical access to healthcare in Rwanda through its humanitarian initiative, Beyond2020. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest test for healthcare globally. Expanding access to robust and resilient healthcare systems is of pivotal importance in managing the post-COVID-19 recovery, especially when it comes to overcoming service disruptions.” The clinics were established as part of a public-private partnership agreement between One Family Health, a Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020 finalist under the ‘Health’ category, and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health (MoH). This is part of the Government of Rwanda’s efforts to reach Universal Health Coverage, and to improve health facilities across the country. H.E. Emmanuel Hategeka, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the UAE said, “Universal access to healthcare is one of Rwanda’s top priorities. We value the intervention by Beyond2020 and its partners which aligns directly with the Rwanda Government’s ongoing efforts to increase access to a more modern and world-class health apparatus for its people.” Through the four clinics in the Nyaruguru and Rubavu districts, Beyond2020 has enabled the creation of 12 jobs, including those of four nurse-entrepreneurs. “I am proud to provide healthcare and health education to my community. Having a health post in our community means a lot to me and my family. It helps us to prevent diseases and improve the quality of our lives” said Innocent Ntakirutimana who lives in the Mata Sector of the Nyaruguru District in Rwanda’s Southern Province. Mark Wagstaff, Country Director, One Family Health expanded on the importance of the deployment saying: “The beauty of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and the Beyond2020 initiative lies in the establishment of health posts in four different communities that would not have any for two or three years. From the initiative’s support, we have now been able to provide these facilities as of this year.” Venerande Mukamusoni is one of thousands of Rwandans who are benefiting from the Beyond2020 initiative. In the past, Venerande would travel long distances to get to Nyamyumba Health Centre to access healthcare. That all changed when Gorwe Health Post opened its doors. “At times, we would fall ill and not go to the hospital because it was so far away,” says Venerande. “We often couldn’t afford to pay for the transport to get there, and ended up staying at home.” Venerande says that having a well-equipped health post and supporting nurses in rural areas will improve the quality of her life and that of her family. “The new health post is close to where I live. Whenever my children or I fall ill, we immediately come to get medical treatment. These nurses are smart, offer good services and attend to us on time,” says Venerande. The Beyond2020 initiative was initiated in Rwanda by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in collaboration with One Family Health who have partnered with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health, and with support from the initiative’s partners including, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum and Masdar. Thanks to this partnership, the initiative will continue to empower nurse-entrepreneurs and ensure that 20,000 Rwandans living in rural areas of the country have access to critical healthcare services. About Beyond2020 Initiative Inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Beyond2020 is an initiative championing the sustainability and humanitarian values of the UAE’s founding father. From its launch, on 18 December 2019, the initiative has overseen the donation of innovative sustainability solutions and technologies to disadvantaged communities, in 11 countries to date. With partners Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, Masdar and BNP Paribas, along with winners and finalists of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the initiative seeks to foster an environment of stability and empowerment within all communities where activities occur. Beyond2020 is an extension of the Prize’s ongoing commitment to working with its winners and finalists, by continuing to support their goals and allowing their solutions to reach a much wider number of people, around the globe. For more information: https://zayedsustainabilityprize.com/en/beyond2020 About Zayed Sustainability Prize Established by the UAE leadership, in 2008, to honour the legacy of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognising sustainability and humanitarian solutions around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize acknowledges and rewards global pioneers and innovators who are committed to accelerating impactful sustainable solutions. Over the past 14 years, the Prize has awarded 86 winners. Collectively, they have positively impacted the lives of more than 352 million people around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize categories are Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. For more information, please visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com.
