The following story captures the journey of UGHE’s inaugural medical class pursuing the dual degree: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery – Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MBBS-MGHD). Through the voices of their representatives, Eden Gatesi and Axel Shimwa, they share their heartfelt reflections as they complete the first phase of their academic quest at our beautiful Butaro Campus. 

Nestled on Butaro hill, a community that witnesses the healthcare challenges faced by many people, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) provides an intentional stage for medical training. For the inaugural class, the experience has been far from the traditional university setting. From the moment they arrived in July 2019, navigating the bumpy roads leading to the campus, it was clear that this journey would be different.  

The Call to Serve 

“My image of a university used to be nice buildings in a city, where students could move freely between campus and urban life,” recalls Eden, “but UGHE was different.”

The campus’s proximity to the community it serves offers a constant reminder of the mission at hand. “Every time you leave the gates of the University, you meet the reason why you are there,” Eden adds.  This physical closeness to the community became a powerful symbol of the responsibilities they would bear as future healthcare professionals. 

Many of the students were admitted to UGHE with uncertainty about the mission. As young aspiring doctors, they sought to contribute to equitable healthcare but were not really sure about what that truly meant. However, their interactions with the late Dr. Paul Farmer, the founder of the institution and a global champion of healthcare equity, began to clarify their purpose. 

“The days we spent with Dr. Farmer, caring for critically ill patients and exploring their communities, helped us understand what lies beyond the science of medicine,” Axel reflects.

It was through these experiences that the students began to grasp the importance of addressing the basic social determinants of health. 

A New Kind of Healthcare Professional 

To these future doctors, UGHE introduced a culture that transcends the traditional roles of a healthcare provider, which normally are prescribing medications or performing surgeries.  

“Listening to patients, understanding the factors that predispose them to a disease, the challenges they face in their communities, and the barriers to accessing quality care became just as important as treating their medical conditions,” Eden shares.  

This approach to healthcare, which considers the entirety of a patient’s life circumstances, is like a flag of UGHE education. 

Through their education, these students were exposed to the realities of the communities they would one day serve. Social Medicine and Community-Based Education classes, as well as clerkship rotations across the country, allowed them to appreciate the healthcare system in a close range. 

“Now I have seen. I saw what is happening in those communities, and when the call comes to contribute, I won’t hesitate to answer.” Axel says. 

Gaining Critical Skills for a Global Impact  

Among the most valuable skills gained at UGHE were those related to research. The students learned the importance of evidence-based practice, understanding the root causes of public health challenges, and applying this knowledge in their future roles as doctors and global health leaders.

“Research skills are crucial because they enable us to provide up-to-date, research-supported medicine.” Eden notes. 

Innovation was another key area of growth. Gathering and collaborating with local and international universities students fueled a spirit of creativity. Internship opportunities with local startups further allowed students to witness and contribute to the creation of products dedicated to their communities’ needs.  

“Working with emerging technologies to solve real-world problems was an invaluable experience.” Axel shares. 

Witnessing Global Health Delivery in a Close Range and Learning from Them 

The varied experiences in different hospitals across Rwanda opened the students’ eyes to the realities of global health inequities. Mostly in rural hospitals – like Butaro, the students encountered patients whose conditions were worsened by the factors beyond their control. 

“Working in hospitals in rural areas exposed me to the challenges patients face, like financial barriers and limited knowledge about their conditions.” Eden reflects. 

These experiences deepened their understanding of the issues that contribute to health disparities and strengthened their urge to resolve them.  

Working closely with the Butaro community was particularly enlightening for the students. Community-Based training took them into the heart of people’s lives, revealing the interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that influence health. 

“We visited a family with a one-year-old child who had tuberculosis (TB). By visiting their home, we learned that the child had been exposed to a relative who was a TB patient. Without this visit, I wouldn’t have understood the importance of educating patients on isolation and screening.” Eden testifies. 

These experiences highlight the need to treat patients holistically, considering not just their diseases but their lives. 

Proud Accomplishments and Future Aspirations 

The students of UGHE’s inaugural class have much to be proud of. From life-saving interventions during their clerkships to pioneering initiatives like GIRA Ubuntu, which supports underserved patients, they have already begun to manifest the principles of global health equity they have learned.  

Some have presented their research on international stages, while others have led innovations in healthcare technology. Remarkably, Axel Shimwa developed a mental health telemedicine application that has gained recognition at both national and international levels.  

In addition, becoming the inaugural student council president has been one of the huge accomplishments for Eden Gatesi.  

“Since that not only taught me student representation but also advocacy, communication and other skills that I will apply in my future responsibilities.” she says.

As they reflect on their time at UGHE, these students are filled with hope for the future. They transition to their MGHD phase with the knowledge and skills necessary to be outstanding medical practitioners and a deep sense of responsibility to their communities and the world.  

“UGHE has nourished us with the knowledge, attitude, and character that build future medical doctors and global health leaders.” Axel remarks. “The future is limitless. The sky has been traversed, and now it is our time to fly and to fly higher.”