We for Health (W4H) on Monday formally welcomed public health specialist George Gahenda as Technical Advisor (Consultant) to its Directorate of Programmes, at a ceremony led by Executive Director Dr Assumpta Kayinamura Mwali at the organisation’s head office in Niboye Sector, Kicukiro District.

Introducing him, Kayinamura Mwali said the appointment would strengthen the organisation’s work at every level of the health system. “We look forward to the experience, knowledge and leadership he brings as we work together with health facilities, communities and partners to improve health outcomes across Rwanda,” she said.

Gahenda brings more than three decades of experience in clinical care, public health policy and community health. He began his career as a clinician, working in hospitals and health facilities in Uganda and Rwanda between 1992 and 2000, before spending a decade at the Ministry of Health, where his roles included Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

From 2006 to 2008, he served as Technical Advisor and Supervisor on the ministry’s Community Health Desk. In that role, he helped draft the national community health policy and roll out the community health worker programme, including the binômes and maternal health animators who today form a cornerstone of primary health care at community level, in Rwanda.

Since 2010, he has led Urunana Development Communication, where he oversees a national social and behaviour change programme that uses entertainment-education approach to reach families with messages on priority public health issues including sexual and reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition and immunization.

Gahenda’s career has spanned the clinic, the ministry and the community, an experience that has shaped his conviction that lasting change in health depends on all three working together. In his new role, he will support W4H teams to deliver quality health care in every facility the organisation supports, reach families in their homes and communities, and strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.