@article {1395969,
	title = {Health Professional Training and Capacity Strengthening Through International Academic Partnerships: The First Five Years of the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda},
	journal = {Int J Health Policy Manag},
	volume = {7},
	year = {2018},
	month = {2018 11 01},
	pages = {1024-1039},
	abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program (HRH Program) is a 7-year (2012-2019) health professional training initiative led by the Government of Rwanda with the goals of training a large, diverse, and competent health workforce and strengthening the capacity of academic institutions in Rwanda.

METHODS: The data for this organizational case study was collected through official reports from the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) and 22 participating US academic institutions, databases from the MoH and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) in Rwanda, and surveys completed by the co-authors.

RESULTS: In the first 5 years of the HRH Program, a consortium of US academic institutions has deployed an average of 99 visiting faculty per year to support 22 training programs, which are on track to graduate almost 4600 students by 2019. The HRH Program has also built capacity within the CMHS by promoting the recruitment of Rwandan faculty and the establishment of additional partnerships and collaborations with the US academic institutions.

CONCLUSION: The milestones achieved by the HRH Program have been substantial although some challenges persist. These challenges include adequately supporting the visiting faculty; pairing them with Rwandan faculty (twinning); ensuring strong communication and coordination among stakeholders; addressing mismatches in priorities between donors and implementers; the execution of a sustainability strategy; and the decision by one of the donors not to renew funding beyond March 2017. Over the next 2 academic years, it is critical for the sustainability of the 22 training programs supported by the HRH Program that the health-related Schools at the CMHS significantly scale up recruitment of new Rwandan faculty. The HRH Program can serve as a model for other training initiatives implemented in countries affected by a severe shortage of health professionals.},
	keywords = {Capacity Building, Developing Countries, Faculty, financial management, Government Programs, Health Personnel, Health Workforce, Humans, International Cooperation, Organizations, Rwanda, Schools, Students, United States},
	issn = {2322-5939},
	doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2018.61},
	author = {Cancedda, Corrado and Cotton, Phil and Shema, Joseph and Rulisa, Stephen and Riviello, Robert and Adams, Lisa V and Farmer, Paul E and Kagwiza, Jeanne N and Kyamanywa, Patrick and Mukamana, Donatilla and Mumena, Chrispinus and Tumusiime, David K and Mukashyaka, Lydie and Ndenga, Esperance and Twagirumugabe, Theogene and Mukara, Kaitesi B and Dusabejambo, Vincent and Walker, Timothy D and Nkusi, Emmy and Bazzett-Matabele, Lisa and Butera, Alex and Rugwizangoga, Belson and Kabayiza, Jean Claude and Kanyandekwe, Simon and Kalisa, Louise and Ntirenganya, Faustin and Dixson, Jeffrey and Rogo, Tanya and McCall, Natalie and Corden, Mark and Wong, Rex and Mukeshimana, Madeleine and Gatarayiha, Agnes and Ntagungira, Egide Kayonga and Yaman, Attila and Musabeyezu, Juliet and Sliney, Anne and Nuthulaganti, Tej and Kernan, Meredith and Okwi, Peter and Rhatigan, Joseph and Jane Barrow and Wilson, Kim and Levine, Adam C and Reece, Rebecca and Koster, Michael and Moresky, Rachel T and O{\textquoteright}Flaherty, Jennifer E and Palumbo, Paul E and Ginwalla, Rashna and Binanay, Cynthia A and Thielman, Nathan and Relf, Michael and Wright, Rodney and Hill, Mary and Chyun, Deborah and Klar, Robin T and McCreary, Linda L and Hughes, Tonda L and Moen, Marik and Meeks, Valli and Barrows, Beth and Durieux, Marcel E and McClain, Craig D and Bunts, Amy and Calland, Forrest J and Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany and Milner, Danny and Raviola, Giuseppe and Smith, Stacy E and Tuteja, Meenu and Magriples, Urania and Rastegar, Asghar and Arnold, Linda and Magaziner, Ira and Binagwaho, Agnes}
}
