The new innovations, launched by the Ministry of Health, aim to strengthen Rwanda’s connected health ecosystem and improve healthcare service delivery across the country. The official launch took place on October 13 during the summit at the Kigali Convention Centre.

e-Buzima is a digital health platform developed by the Ministry of Health to digitize medical records and improve access to healthcare services. Its primary goal is to eliminate paper-based medical records across all public health facilities.

The platform synchronizes patient data across health facilities, allowing doctors and patients to access medical information in real time, reducing waiting times, and improving treatment accuracy.

e-Banguka, on the other hand, is designed to enhance the emergency medical response system. The platform allows real-time ambulance tracking and identifies the nearest available ambulance.

According to Dr. Yvan Butera, Minister of State for Health, the two mobile applications will make it easier for citizens to access health services quickly and ensure smooth information sharing between all actors in the health system from community health workers to hospitals and pharmacies.

“These are mobile applications that will help citizens access health services more quickly, while also creating a system that allows seamless information sharing between community health workers, health centres, hospitals, pharmacies, and patients,” said Dr. Butera.

He further explained that the new digital system will eliminate repetitive paperwork and reduce the burden on patients who previously had to repeat their medical information each time they were referred to another facility.

“This innovation will greatly enhance health monitoring and disease management across the country,” he said.

The platforms also allow patients to consult doctors remotely, improving access to professional advice and reducing the need for in-person visits.

“We have created an online platform where anyone seeking reliable health information can contact a doctor via phone and receive professional advice,” he added.

Dr. Butera highlighted that the apps improve service delivery, save time, and ensure secure, well-managed patient data, which also supports evidence-based planning at the Ministry of Health.

Regarding data protection and privacy, Dr. Butera emphasized that the systems comply with national laws and cybersecurity regulations.

“The advantage is that all this data is stored within Rwanda and managed through systems that were developed locally,” he said.

Before these digital platforms, doctors relied heavily on paper files, which consumed significant time and resources as they had to rewrite patient information whenever patients moved between health facilities. The new system also reduces patient costs by eliminating the need for multiple paper documents.

Developed in collaboration with local and international partners, e-Buzima and e-Banguka reflect Rwanda’s commitment to leveraging homegrown innovation and technology to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.