Table 1.
Health policies implemented in Rwanda and Burundi during the postwar period
| WHO building block | Rwanda | Burundi |
|---|---|---|
| Human resources | Human resources for health program to develop medical residency program (2013)33 Nurse mentorship and supervision program (2012)34 Community health worker training and implementation to improve access to care (2007)35 | Launch of Burundi Health Workforce Observatory (2012)36 |
| Health service delivery | Nationwide distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria transmission (2005–2006)37 Decentralization of health care decision making (2009)38 Renovations of facilities through nonprofit and international partners (2009–2012)39 Increased coverage of HIV and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services nationwide (2009–2012)40 | Decentralization of health care decision making (2009)41 Increased coverage of HIV and prevention of mother-to-child services nationwide (2015)42 Ambulance referral network (2011)43 |
| Health information systems | Implementation of nationwide health information system (2005) Trainings for data managers and data officers (2006)44 Routine reporting and data quality assessments (2008–2012)45 Emphasis on research training for health professionals (2012)46 Rapid mobile messaging for community health workers to report vital events (2010)47 Early infant diagnosis via mobile phone (2008)48 | Implementation of health management information systems (2008)49 Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) strengthens vaccine delivery and monitoring (2009)50 |
| Health financing | Mutuelles de Santé community-based insurance (1999)51 Performance-based financing incentives for health professionals (2005)52 | Abolition of user fees for delivery services and under-five care (2006)53 Performance-based financing incentives for health professionals (2010)54 Flat-fee program to decrease poverty (2003)55 Increased public funding for reproductive health (2010)56 |
| Medicines, vaccines, and technology | Coordination of donors to improve access to essential medicines (2011)57 Supply-chain improvement (2012)58 | Supply-chain improvement (2014)59 |
| Leadership and governance | National stewardship of health policy and coordination of international partners (2011)60 Decentralized decision making at district level (targets set by district) (2009)61 Development of strategic plan (2005, 2009, 2012) | Establishment of ministries of HIV/AIDS and health (2007)62 Unilateral execution of health policy by the president (2006)63 Development of strategic plan (2005, 2011)64 |