The April Community Conversation Highlights Rwanda’s Experience with NTD Integration

Community Conversations are one of Kikundi’s quarterly activities, creating a space for NTD Program Managers(PMs) to exchange country experiences, discuss practical programs' challenges, and learn from one another’s approaches. These sessions support peer learning and strengthen collaboration across the community.

On 22 April 2026, Kikundi held such a conversation that focused on Rwanda’s experience with NTD integration. The session brought together 24 PMs and was facilitated by two members of the Kikundi Development Team. Dr. Fatai Oyediran, NTD PM for Nigeria, moderated  the discussion that featured a presentation from Dr. Ladislas Nshimiyimana, the Acting NTD PM in Rwanda.

The session provided an opportunity for members to learn from Rwanda’s experience in integrating NTD interventions into existing health system platforms. Dr. Ladislas shared how Rwanda is embedding NTD activities within community health services, school-based delivery, Maternal and Child Health campaigns, HMIS reporting, digital tools, and national procurement and supply chain systems.

A key message from Rwanda’s experience was that integration is not simply about combining activities. It requires early partner engagement, joint planning, coordinated implementation, shared reporting, and continuous adaptation to ensure that NTD programs remain visible while making better use of available resources.

The discussion also allowed members to reflect on practical implementation questions, including the role of community health workers, how NTD indicators are captured in routine health information systems, how programs with different target groups can align their activities, and how digital reporting systems and incentives can support routine NTD service delivery.

Rwanda’s experience showed that integration can contribute to improved efficiency, stronger accountability, multisectoral collaboration, and more sustainable delivery of NTD interventions when it is carefully planned and adapted to the local context.

Through these Community Conversations, Kikundi continues to provide a space where PMs can exchange practical experiences, learn from country-led approaches, and strengthen peer-to-peer collaboration in support of progress towards NTD control and elimination across Africa.