Building a gastroenterology fellowship programme in Rwanda: a model of international partnerships and sustainable capacity building

Category	Detail
Condition	Gastrointestinal and liver diseases
Key Mechanisms	Development of a local fellowship program to address workforce shortages and improve GI care capacity.
Target Population	Residents of Rwanda and surrounding regions with gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Care Setting	Tertiary hospitals and specialized training centers in Rwanda.

Rwanda's GI fellowship program aims to address critical shortages of gastroenterologists.
The program includes local training supported by international faculty and rotations at international centers.
Graduates contribute to mentorship and training of new fellows, promoting sustainability.
GI procedure access has tripled over 2 years, significantly improving service delivery.
The program has established full-time GI services beyond the capital, enhancing care availability.

Utilize competency-based assessments for fellows to ensure adherence to international performance standards.

Implement structured local training complemented by international rotations for advanced subspecialty training.

Evaluate graduates annually using international benchmarks for performance in GI procedures.

Initial reliance on expatriate specialists and international faculty may hinder local capacity development.

Patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases in Rwanda.

Increased access to GI procedures and specialized care through expanded training and service availability.

Foster collaboration among health ministries, educational institutions, and international partners.
Encourage mentorship roles for graduates to sustain training and improve local expertise.
Adopt virtual teaching platforms to maintain academic support and training continuity.

Clinical Scorecard: Establishing a Gastroenterology Fellowship Program in Rwanda: A Framework for International Collaboration and Sustainable Development