Health Development Initiative

Health Development Initiative (HDI) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Kigali, Rwanda, and registered with the Rwandan government. Founded in 2005 by a group of Rwandan physicians working in health facilities and communities across the country, HDI strives to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all Rwandans. Its vision is a society in which everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and well-being, regardless of social, cultural, economic, or any other status. Its mission is to empower individuals, communities, and institutions to improve community health and development in Rwanda through a rights-based approach, building sustainable alliances to advocate for and support inclusive, health-friendly policies and services. HDI's work is organized around three main pillars: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); Community Health and Development; and Human Rights and the Right to Health. Under SRHR, HDI empowers communities by providing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services. Its Centers for Health and Rights in Kicukiro and Nyakabanda offer stigma-free, SRHR-friendly clinical services, including screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs, pregnancy testing, advice on family planning, emergency contraceptives, pre- and post-abortion counseling, support for those experiencing gender-based violence, and referral and legal aid for safe abortion. The centers also serve as a source of data and testimonies that inform HDI's advocacy initiatives and training materials, and they conduct outreach campaigns to reach beneficiaries in rural areas. Under Community Health and Development, HDI provides communities with support, training, and health education, empowering them to prevent and treat illness, with an emphasis on infectious disease prevention, nutrition, and hygiene and sanitation. Under Human Rights and the Right to Health, HDI works with government institutions, policy makers, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals to advocate for health-friendly policies and strengthen accountability on their implementation. HDI reports reaching over 350,000 beneficiaries across all 30 districts of Rwanda, with more than 46 projects and over 35 partners. It brings together a team with experience in medicine, public health, policy advocacy, litigation, and community development. The organization also operates HDI TV, producing radio and television shows on health topics, and maintains a toll-free hotline (3530).

Health Development Initiative (HDI) was founded in 2005 by a dedicated group of Rwandan physicians working in health facilities and communities across the country. This diverse group of health professionals was united by a shared commitment to improve the health of disadvantaged communities within and outside of the healthcare system. When HDI was established, the founders recognized that Rwanda's most vulnerable populations were not being heard by their communities, duty bearers, and policy makers. Thus, HDI began by listening and getting to know the people it would strive to serve, in order to learn how to design programs and why those programs were so critical. Over the years, HDI has grown into an independent, non-profit organization based in Kigali and registered with the Rwandan government. It strives to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all Rwandans through advocacy, coalition building, capacity building, outreach, and training of beneficiaries and duty bearers. Today, HDI brings together a team with vast experience in medicine, public health, policy advocacy, litigation, and community development to bridge gaps in health access and equity. A central part of HDI's work has been the establishment of its Centers for Health and Rights in Kicukiro and Nyakabanda. These centers offer stigma-free and SRHR-friendly clinical services, established to reach the most vulnerable populations in Rwanda with accurate and free information and services. The centers offer screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs, pregnancy testing, advice on family planning, emergency contraceptives, pre- and post-abortion counseling, support for those experiencing gender-based violence, and referral and legal aid for safe abortion. The staff are trained to provide stigma-free services and are welcoming of marginalized groups. The centers also receive many other clients, such as vulnerable groups like teenage mothers, domestic workers, and adolescents, who know that HDI provides quality services free of discrimination. HDI has used the centers as an effective way to generate data and testimonies, which inform its advocacy initiatives and training materials. The centers conduct outreach campaigns to ensure that even beneficiaries living in the most rural areas get access to accurate SRHR information. HDI has partnered with other community-based organizations, civil society organizations, and public/private health facilities to refer clients to services that HDI does not offer. HDI reports reaching over 350,000 beneficiaries across all 30 districts of Rwanda, with more than 46 projects and over 35 partners. It also operates HDI TV, producing radio and television shows on health topics, and maintains a toll-free hotline (3530).

• 2005

  HDI founded by a group of Rwandan physicians.

• Centers for Health and Rights established in Kicukiro and Nyakabanda.

• HDI reports reaching over 350,000 beneficiaries across all 30 districts of Rwanda.

Rights-based, community-centered non-profit improving health access and equity in Rwanda.

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services

  Comprehensive SRHR information and services, including clinical services at Centers for Health and Rights.

• Community Health and Development programs

  Support, training, and health education with emphasis on infectious disease prevention, nutrition, and hygiene and sanitation.

• Human Rights and Right to Health advocacy

  Advocacy for health-friendly policies and strengthening accountability on implementation.

• HDI TV

  Radio and television shows on health topics.

1. 1Health Development Initiative (HDI Rwanda) – Homepagehdirwanda.org
2. 2About Us – Health Development Initiative (HDI Rwanda)hdirwanda.org
3. 3Clinical Services – Health Development Initiative (HDI Rwanda)hdirwanda.org
4. 4Health Development Initiative – Wikidatawikidata.org