What inspired you to pursue a career in emergency medicine?

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Emergency medicine combines rapid decision-making, hands-on patient care, and the ability to make a critical impact in life-threatening situations. Seeing the need for strong emergency care systems in Rwanda motivated me to specialize in this field, ensuring timely interventions that save lives.

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What unique challenges do you face in emergency medicine in your country, and how have you worked to address them?

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Emergency medicine in Rwanda, like in many resource-limited settings, faces key challenges such as overcrowded Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments, limited critical care capacity, delays in prehospital care, and a shortage of specialized emergency medicine (EM) professionals. Many patients arrive in advanced stages of illness or severe trauma due to limited EMS coverage and delayed referrals.

However, significant strides have been made:

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• The Rwandan government has integrated emergency medicine into the national healthcare system, with an increasing number of trained emergency physicians and nurses.

• SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente) has expanded ambulance services and prehospital care, reducing delays in emergency response, especially for trauma and obstetric emergencies.

• The Rwanda Emergency Care Association (RECA) has been instrumental in training healthcare workers, organizing continuous medical education, and advocating for better EM policies and infrastructure.
   

Through RECA’s initiatives, emergency providers receive simulation-based training, ultrasound workshops, and research opportunities to improve evidence-based practices. Additionally, the organization fosters innovation in EMS, such as community first responder programs and technology-driven triage systems.

Despite ongoing challenges like ICU bed shortages, financial constraints for uninsured patients, and resource limitations in rural hospitals, the combined efforts of the government, healthcare leadership, and RECA are shaping a stronger emergency care system. Continued investment, education, and policy-driven solutions are key to ensuring accessible, high-quality emergency care for all Rwandans.

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What advice would you give to young professionals or students in your country who are interested in pursuing emergency medicine?

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If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love problem-solving, and want to make an immediate impact on people’s lives, emergency medicine is for you!

 

• Personal Benefits: It’s an exciting and fulfilling career where no two days are the same. You develop resilience, confidence, and adaptability, knowing that your skills can save lives anytime, anywhere.

• Professional Benefits: Emergency medicine opens doors to leadership, research, global fellowships, and specialized training in areas like critical care, ultrasound, and disaster medicine. With Rwanda’s growing EMS system, experts in this field are highly valued and have opportunities to shape the future of emergency care.

• Public Benefits: By joining emergency medicine, you contribute to strengthening Rwanda’s emergency response network, prehospital care (SAMU), and hospital emergency systems, ensuring that people receive life-saving care when they need it most.

For young professionals considering this field, stay curious, seek mentorship, and embrace teamwork. The future of emergency medicine in Rwanda needs passionate and skilled individuals like you!​​

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What are you most looking forward to at ICEM2025, both in terms of learning and networking opportunities?

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ICEM2025 offers a platform to exchange knowledge on global best practices, learn from leading experts, and explore innovative approaches to emergency care. I look forward to networking with fellow professionals to foster collaborations that can enhance emergency medicine training and research in Rwanda.

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How does diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) play a role in shaping the future of emergency medicine in your country and globally?

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential in ensuring fair access to emergency medical services (EMS) for all populations, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. In Rwanda, Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI), known as Mutuelle de Santé, has been instrumental in improving healthcare accessibility, ensuring that even low-income patients can receive emergency care without financial barriers.

Additionally, SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente) and the broader EMS system in Rwanda have made significant strides in reducing prehospital delays and expanding emergency response coverage, particularly in rural areas. The continued development of EMS, training of prehospital providers, and integration of DEI principles help ensure that all patients regardless of background receive timely and quality emergency care.

At ICEM2025, discussions on health equity and emergency system strengthening will be valuable in refining Rwanda’s EMS model, leveraging global innovations, and promoting inclusive emergency care delivery.

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