A high-level Rwandan delegation comprising government officials, academic leaders, and UNFPA Rwanda representatives completed a ten-day learning visit to India focused on strengthening midwifery education and maternal health systems. The visit, organised under the AIM for Change! initiative and supported by the Government of India, highlighted India’s expanding leadership in South–South Cooperation and its commitment to sharing expertise in maternal health, midwifery training, and digital health innovations.
During the mission, the delegation visited key national and state institutions, including the National Midwifery Training Institute in Udaipur, LaQshya-certified facilities, Bhopal’s National Health Mission office, Kailashnath Katju Hospital, and health centres in Sanchi. These engagements helped them understand the policies, systems, and innovations behind India’s rapid decline in maternal mortality. India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has fallen significantly, reflecting strong governance, continued investments, and data-driven monitoring.
The delegation observed that India’s progress is anchored in a unified health system where national guidelines, programme entitlements, budgets, and digital platforms work together cohesively. UNFPA India emphasised that this form of South–South collaboration demonstrates how shared learning and coordinated governance can accelerate improvements in maternal and newborn health. Rwanda also recognised how India’s well-trained workforce—ASHAs, ANMs and CHOs—mirrors elements of its own health reforms under the “4×4 Strategy.”
UNFPA Rwanda reiterated its commitment to helping the country translate India’s lessons into sustainable, system-wide improvements. Digital health emerged as one of the most impactful areas of learning. The Rwandan team studied India’s integrated platforms, including the RCH Portal, PMSMA dashboards, MPCDSR system, and digital labour room tools, along with VR-based midwifery training that supports competency development in managing critical conditions.
Insights from the exchange will guide Rwanda’s next phase of maternal health reforms. These include strengthening digital health systems with simplified national tracking tools, enhancing the role of Community Health Workers with clearer responsibilities, and expanding structured follow-ups. Rwanda also expressed interest in piloting digital and clinical innovations such as VR training, upgraded labour room technologies, and enhanced surveillance systems, leveraging its unified health structure to implement scalable solutions.
