“Nutrition at the Core”: First Lady Urges Holistic Patient Care

A Vision for Health and Dignity

First Lady Jeannette Kagame has emphasized the importance of nutrition as a fundamental component of healthcare, highlighting that recovery is not solely dependent on medical treatment but also on ensuring patients are well-nourished, cared for, and treated with respect. She praised the work of Solid Africa, a nonprofit organization that has transformed patient care by addressing hunger among vulnerable hospital patients and expanding access to medically tailored nutrition.

During the 15th anniversary celebration of Solid Africa, she noted that medicine alone is not sufficient for lasting well-being. Instead, it is the nourishment, love, and respect given to individuals that contribute to their overall health. The organization’s efforts have reshaped the understanding of patient care by focusing on the needs of those undergoing treatment.

Evolution of a Mission

Solid Africa began as a simple initiative to provide meals to patients who could not afford food during their treatment. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive program that offers nutrition support tailored to individual needs. The organization now extends its services to children through school feeding programs, demonstrating how ordinary citizens can create meaningful change when united by compassion and purpose.

The First Lady encouraged the organization to continue its mission with the same courage and creativity that defined its early days. She expressed confidence in Solid Africa’s ability to grow while maintaining its commitment to serving others.

A Legacy of Compassion

Founded in 2010 by Isabelle Kamariza, Solid Africa is a Rwandan nonprofit that provides medically tailored nutrition support to vulnerable hospital patients and promotes better nutrition within communities. What started as an initiative to feed patients without means has grown into one of the country’s leading nutrition programs.

Today, the organization serves more than 1,500 patients and caregivers daily across five public hospitals, reaching approximately 130,000 beneficiaries annually. It also provides daily meals to over 30,000 schoolchildren. Through its nutrition programs, Solid Africa partners with more than 7,000 farmers, linking local agricultural production to improved health and food security.

Since its inception, the organization has served more than five million patient-tailored meals to nearly 600,000 patients. Kamariza emphasized that the mission has always centered on restoring dignity to patients and families facing hardship. She highlighted the importance of people—patients, volunteers, partners, and supporters—who have sustained the organization over the past 15 years.

A Journey of Purpose

Kamariza shared that the organization was born at a time when she was uncertain about her own future but found purpose in serving vulnerable patients. She credited the growth of Solid Africa to the collective efforts of young volunteers and partners who believed that meaningful change did not require abundant resources, only a shared commitment to act.

She reflected on the belief that every person in a hospital bed could be one of us—our parents, brothers, or sisters. That belief kept the team going, even in challenging times.

Real-Life Impact

Esperance, a resident of Rusizi District, sought specialized treatment after her young son suffered severe burns in a fire. His head injuries were so extensive that doctors had to perform multiple skin grafts, removing healthy skin from other parts of his body to reconstruct the damaged area. Unable to afford the cost of treatment, Esperance was referred to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), before her son was later transferred to Kenya for further specialized care.

Solid Africa stepped in to cover every aspect of the family’s treatment, including hospital bills, medication, food, transportation, and other daily expenses. The organization continues to support the family by meeting their ongoing needs as the child recovers.

Building a Sustainable Future

Solid Africa Chief Executive Officer Nassir Katuramu said the organization’s journey began with a simple promise: no patient should have to battle hunger while fighting illness. What started with five patients receiving home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers has since grown into a national nutrition program serving hospitals, schools, and farming communities.

Katuramu highlighted that the organization’s growth has been driven by collective action rather than individual effort. He paid tribute to volunteers, founding members, development partners, and institutions that believed in the initiative long before it had the infrastructure or resources it enjoys today.

Looking ahead, Katuramu said Solid Africa aims to help build a national public nutrition system integrated into government services rather than remaining a charity-driven initiative. The organization plans to expand medically tailored meals in hospitals and schools while creating stable markets for thousands of smallholder farmers.

A Shared Commitment

Achieving this vision will require continued collaboration among the government, the private sector, development partners, and local communities. Solid Africa remains committed to reaching more patients and communities, recognizing that many people still lack access to the nutrition support they need during treatment.

Every day, there are patients who wish to be seen in one of the hospitals where Solid Africa operates. The responsibility is to continue building together so that more people can benefit from the organization’s mission.