Empowering Leaders in Rwanda to Deliver on Health Priorities

The Ministry of Health in Rwanda recognized the need to strengthen leadership capabilities to accelerate progress on national health priorities. Delivery Associates partnered with the Ministry and key institutions to design and deliver a comprehensive program focused on leadership development and delivery support. Through a combination of retreats, coaching, and hands-on collaboration, DA helped build a stronger culture of delivery, supported implementation planning for high-impact priorities, and laid the foundation for more sustainable, results-driven governance.

Context

Real-world challenges: Despite Rwanda’s progress in strengthening its health system, leaders across the sector faced challenges turning national priorities into consistent, measurable results. Inconsistent coordination processes and use of data to target delivery efforts were hindering progress on critical goals like improving availability of essential medicines and improving Human Resources for Health (HRH) distribution at district hospitals.  

The Ministry of Health recognized that addressing these gaps required a focused investment in supporting leaders and fostering a stronger culture of delivery to drive long-term impact.

DA Approach

DA began by conducting a robust review of the health sector through document reviews, interviews with health leaders, and by conducting surveys to identify strengths and areas for improvements in delivering on the sectors’ priorities.  

The findings informed the development of a structured program designed to equip leaders with practical tools and frameworks. Key components included:

• Leadership Retreats: Anchored the program and aligned leaders around priorities and progress tracking.

• Knowledge Sharing: Provided a learning platform for mid-level leaders to engage with tools and each other.

• Coaching Sessions: Delivered monthly to senior leaders, focusing on real-world delivery challenges.

• Priority Delivery Support: Hands-on collaboration with teams working on five selected priorities.

Implementation

DA supported the Ministry through a two-pronged approach: Structured Learning and Delivery Support. Key activities included:

• 3 Leadership Retreats that set and reviewed five sector priorities and drove planning and implementation phases.

• 7 Coaching Rounds for 42 senior leaders, offering space for reflection and practical problem solving.

• 2 Knowledge Sharing Sessions with high levels of engagement from the targeted mid-level leader’s cohort.

• Delivery Support on Five Priorities, including root cause analyses, intervention prioritization, delivery planning and routines to follow through to action.  

• Set up of a ministerial priority tracking team, chaired by the Minister of State’s Office to track sector wide priorities and provide the support needed to fast track delivery.  

Impact

• The structured learning program prompted real shifts in leadership behavior and alignment on priorities.

• Two priorities – reducing stockout of medicines and institutional maternal mortality – gained significant traction, driven by strong ministerial leadership.

• DA tools and frameworks were adopted across institutions, with leaders requesting a delivery unit to be formed at the Ministry of Health

• A sector-wide coordination and tracking team was established and trained to strengthen leadership reporting, problem solving and decision-making.

This work leaves behind stronger institutional foundations, clearer delivery practices, and a growing community of health leaders equipped to sustain results.