President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing healthcare in Africa as he welcomed on Friday Ambassador Minata Samaté Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, and Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, to Kigali for the inauguration of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) headquarters.
Kagame, a key proponent of equitable healthcare on the continent, emphasized Rwanda’s dedication to providing access to quality medical products and technologies across Africa, underscoring his belief in Africa’s capacity to build resilient health systems.
The new AMA headquarters in Kigali marks a significant milestone in Africa’s efforts to strengthen health security, with the agency set to standardize and regulate medicines across the continent. Selected as host nation at the 2022 African Union Summit, Rwanda has handed over a fully equipped facility, complete with essential resources to support AMA’s work.
Ambassador Samaté Cessouma commended Rwanda’s leadership in healthcare and praised the nation’s dedication to improving health access for millions across Africa.
Later in the day, on Friday, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health joined by Ambassador Samaté Cessouma in briefing the diplomatic corps and healthcare partners on Rwanda’s ongoing response to the Marburg virus outbreak.
Dr. Nsanzimana detailed Rwanda’s strategic efforts, from identifying the index case to implementing enhanced surveillance and research initiatives for containment. The briefing highlighted Rwanda’s transparency and proactive information-sharing throughout the response, with both Dr. Kaseya and Ambassador Samaté Cessouma commending Rwanda’s approach.
Meanwhile, the establishment of AMA’s headquarters in Kigali positions Rwanda as a leader in Africa’s healthcare landscape, enabling the continent to meet public health challenges with strength and unity.
With President Kagame’s continued support, AMA is set to drive forward the standardization of medicines, ensuring safe, effective, and accessible healthcare for all Africans.
