A Half-Century of Healing and Collaboration
On October 17, BUFMAR celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in Rwanda’s healthcare landscape. The Golden Jubilee event took place at the Kigali Marriott Hotel, offering an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s journey, celebrate its achievements, and outline a renewed vision for future collaboration with the Government, international partners, and member churches.
Founded by Christian denominations active in Rwanda’s health sector, BUFMAR has played a crucial role in healthcare delivery through pharmaceutical supply and capacity-building. Over the years, it has become a vital player in ensuring access to essential health services across the country.
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, commended BUFMAR’s contributions to the health sector, particularly its role in increasing life expectancy. He noted that life expectancy used to be around 45 years but has now risen to an average of 70 years and above. This progress has been attributed to improved access to essential health services, which has significantly reduced maternal and child mortality rates.
In 2000, approximately 1,000 mothers out of every 100,000 were dying during childbirth. Today, the number has dropped to 105 deaths per 100,000 births. Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized the importance of continuing this progress, aiming to reduce the number to between 50 and 70 by 2028. He also highlighted the role of BUFMAR in supporting this goal through its 4×4 programme, which focuses on equipping doctors with modern, cost-effective equipment and affordable medicine.
The celebration included a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony by Dr. Nsanzimana and BUFMAR’s Board of Directors, marking five decades of impactful service in Rwanda’s medical supply chain.
Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Partnerships
Within the national health supply chain, BUFMAR operates under a partnership framework with the Ministry of Health (MoH) through Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd (RMS). It is one of the three national actors designated to procure and distribute essential and specialized medical products to public hospitals and health centers across the country.
BUFMAR unites 23 faith-based Christian member churches that support a network of 163 health facilities, including 18 hospitals and 145 health centers. These facilities provide medical equipment, consumables, pharmaceuticals, and official medical preparations, as well as various training courses such as first aid, basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, and emergency medical technician training.
Dr. Nsanzimana urged BUFMAR to continue being at the forefront of health service delivery by ensuring timely and cost-effective operations. He emphasized that the organization’s core values should go beyond distribution to saving lives. He also encouraged BUFMAR to explore opportunities for expansion beyond Rwanda, noting that several African countries have expressed interest in partnerships for medicine distribution.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali and a board member of BUFMAR, highlighted the significance of the 50-year milestone for both beneficiaries and founders. He emphasized the importance of a healthy soul in a healthy body and praised the inter-church collaboration that has enabled the provision of medical care, medicines, and support for health workers.
Challenges and Future Goals
Despite its achievements, BUFMAR continues to face challenges, including the need for hospital consolidation and strengthening its capacity in medical distribution. The Archbishop of Kigali pointed out that these issues require attention from the Ministry of Health.
Monique Gahongayire, Director General of BUFMAR, emphasized that the organization serves all Rwandans, not just church members. She highlighted the unity among churches, noting that they have chosen to work together despite differences to achieve common goals.
Gahongayire acknowledged the impact of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which marked a turning point for the organization. Since then, BUFMAR has redefined its mission to align with the country’s health reconstruction and development goals.
One of the main challenges currently faced by BUFMAR is importing products, as it does not manufacture what it distributes. Gahongayire mentioned the need to collaborate with institutions to establish factories that can produce some of the items currently imported. She expressed hope that in the next five to ten years, BUFMAR might celebrate this milestone.
She concluded her speech by thanking HE First Lady Jeannette Kagame for her support and wishes sent to the BUFMAR family.
