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This project addresses critical barriers identified by Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC-implementing partner of Ministry of Health)and Team Heart in seven hospitals to assess hypertension management by NCD nurses. Those gaps were: limited diagnostic equipment, a shortage of trained Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) nurses, and low community awareness of the severity, complications, and importance of adherence to care. The project strengthens primary health care capacity by providing essential diagnostic tools, building capacity of frontline health workers through practical training, and conducting community health education activities to improve understanding of hypertension risks, complications, and adherence to care. Blood pressure measurement will be offered only on a voluntary basis for individuals who wish to know their status.
GG2691524 - Strengthening Hypertension Detection and Screening in Rwanda through NCD Nurse Training and Community Education
D6040 â₀" Kansas City-Plaza Rotary Club, Cassy Venters, Primary Contact, PDG, PDRFC, PP
D9150 â₀" Kigali Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, Sirnivas Cheruvu, Club President
Project Description
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide and a major contributor to stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. More than two-thirds of people with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries, where detection and treatment rates remain low. In Rwanda, national surveys estimate that approximately 15-17% of adults have hypertension, yet many individuals are unaware of their condition until serious complications occur.
Early detection and education are among the most effective strategies to reduce the long-term burden of cardiovascular disease. However, Rwandaâ₀™s primary health care system faces several barriers to effective hypertension screening and prevention. Assessments conducted by the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and Team Heart identified three major gaps: limited availability of diagnostic equipment at health facilities, insufficient training opportunities for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) nurses, and low community awareness of hypertension risk factors and complications.
Rwanda has adopted a tasks-shifting model in which specially trained nurses lead care for many non-communicable diseases at district hospitals and health centers. Strengthening the skills and resources of these NCD nurses is therefore essential for expanding hypertension screening and prevention services nationwide.
This project addresses these challenges by providing essential screening and detection equipment, strengthening the training of NCD nurses, and conducting community education and voluntary blood pressure screening activities. These efforts will improve the ability of health facilities to detect hypertension earlier and refer patients for appropriate care within Rwandaâ₀™s existing health system.
By strengthening frontline health workers and increasing community awareness, the project supports Rwandaâ₀™s national NCD strategy and contributes to the long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease.
In addition this project advances Rotaryâ₀™s area of focus: disease prevention and treatment by strengthening primary health care capacity in Rwanda to detect hypertension early through trained NCD nurses, essential diagnostic equipment, and community education that promotes screening and timely referral for care.
Objective 1: Strengthen primary health care facility capacity for hypertension detection and screening through provision of validated diagnostic equipment.
Objective 2: Improve the knowledge and competency of NCD nurses in hypertension detection, screening, counseling, and referral through standardized training.
Objective 3: Increase community awareness of hypertension risk factors and encourage voluntary blood pressure screening and referral for care.
Beneficiaries:
-The primary beneficiaries are 107 primary health care facilities and 107 NCD nurses.
-Secondary beneficiaries are community members, living in the catchment areas of the seven district hospitals: Nyagatare, Gatunda, Rwamagana, Kibagabaga, Kabgayi, Byumba, and Kibogora. These individuals will be reached through community health workers and non-communicable disease nurses and community awareness events. Total population in 7 districts is around 3,270,000 Estimated primary and secondary beneficiaries through the project is 14,000 in six months.
Timeline:
Planned for September 2026-January 2027; Alternate dependent on grant approval date November 2026-May 2027
1 Educational tool adaptation and printing: 1 Month
2 Training for NCD nurses and ehalth facility supply distribution & Distribution of essential Hypertension diagnostic equipment: 1 Month
3 Health education and community screening activities: On Health Education and Screening: 1 Month
4 Monitoring of outcomes 3 Months
How project funds will be used:
--76.6% of funds will be used for equipment: ECG machines, ECG Red Dots pads, Blood Pressure cuffs, GE scans with AI for remote scans for HF result of hypertension
--8.5% of funds will be used for training: Per diem /Mission fee for NCD Nurses, Per diem/ Mission Fee for RBC Staff, Lunch for training attendees. Per diem/Mission fees are required and set by government policy.
--4.76% of funds for contingency (10% is allowed by TRF)
--3.02% of funds for supplies: training materials
--2.65% of funds for training team accommodation at training sites at seven different hospitals
--2.5% of funds for transport of training team to training sites
--2.42% of funds for signage and banners at training sites and community awareness events. (social media to be used primarily for publicity)
How host club members will be involved:
--Participate in grant committee planning meetings
--In collaboration with other partners, design and revise data collection plan and instruments, collect and analyze data, and prepare grant evaluation reports.
--In collaboration with Rwandan partner, Organization i, conduct needs assessments
--With International Partner, communicate with district leaders, communicate with Rotary Regional Grant Officer and Rotary Financial Officer
--Contact private donors and Rotary districts for funding, maintain project donor database, contact suppliers for possible discounts or in-kind donations.
--Create a separate dedicated bank account in both USD and Rwf. to handle the project funds once the grant is approved. Institute and maintain financial records (in compliance with Rotary policies)
--In collaboration with the NGO Team Heart, plan for and provide publicity for the project to include social media, newspaper publication when possible, and contact Rwandan Biomedical Center for any assistance available. With Organization i, obtain pull-up posters and banners for use at training sites.
--Write grant in collaboration with the international partner and NGO Team Heart.
-- In collaboration with other partners, prepare grant report.
How international club members will be involved:
--Participate on grant committee planning meetings
--In collaboration with other partners, design and revise data collection plan and instruments, analyze data, and prepare grant evaluation report.
-- With Host Partner, communicate with district leaders, draft grant, communicate with Rotary Regional Grant Officer and Financial Officer
-- Contact private donors and Rotary districts for funding,
--Prepare reports to be used in fundraising
-- Write grant in collaboration with the international partner and Organization
-- In collaboration with other partners, prepare grant report.
How NGO Partner â₀" Team Heart Will be involved
--Participate on grant committee planning meetings
-- Manage nurse training and community awareness conferences t
-- Manage operations to include: local communication with district hospitals, health centers and health posts,
-- Provide lead to ensure trainings are evaluated and report to the Rotary grant.
-- In collaboration with Host Partner, conduct needs assessments
-- In collaboration with Host Partner, plan for and provide publicity
-- Use Rwandan Biomedical Center curriculum for Trainers, Nurses and Community Health Workers
-- Provide a lead trainer to the project who will meet with trainers regularly
-- Develop and maintain financial records
-- In collaboration with host partner prepare reports according to Rotary requirements
-- Write grant in collaboration with host and international partner
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