Researchers: Ayla Taylor-Robichaud, Dr. Kyle Denison Martin, Dr. Joseph Biramahire, Dr. Pascal Mugemangango

The goal of this study is to assess the current emergency care capacity and disaster preparedness of district hospitals in Rwanda using the WHO’s Hospital Emergency Assessment Tool (HEAT) as well as the WHO’s hospital emergency response checklist. 

District hospitals in Rwanda are widespread and far more accessible for much of the population than tertiary care facilities, making them the first line of care for patients in need of emergency care. However, most district hospitals have limited emergency departments and only a handful have an emergency medicine physician on staff. This study will survey employees from the emergency departments of six district hospitals across Rwanda using the HEAT as well as questions from the WHO’s hospital emergency response checklist. The results from this assessment are expected to locate gaps in the current state of emergency care as well as broader disaster response in Rwanda and provide guidance for more effective responses in these areas.