A central and vital part of health systems is an efficient supply chain for the provision of health medical commodities like vaccines, diagnostics, medications, family planning commodities and medical equipment. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is an acute lack of well-trained cadres in health supply chain management (HSCM) at regional and national levels of health systems as well as at decentralized levels.
RCE offer Master’s degree programmes that reflect the EAC RCE-VIHCM’s commitment to addressing the specific needs of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors in the EAC region. The progammes target personnel employed in key positions mainly at the Ministry of Health, National Immunization Programs, National Medicines Regulatory Authorities, National/Central Medical Stores, and manufacturing industries across the EAC Partner States.
The Master of Science in Health Supply Chain Management (MHSCM) programme at the EAC RCE-VIHCM is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and optimize the supply chains in the healthcare industry. This programme modules such as procurement, logistics, inventory management, and quality control, all tailored to the unique challenges of healthcare supply chains.
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance (MPAQA) programme is focused on pharmaceutical science and quality control. Modules in this programme focus on; analysis of pharmaceutical products, quality assurance processes, and regulatory compliance within the pharmaceutical industry.
The RCE-VIHSCM has been organizing short courses since 2015. These courses are thoughtfully designed to empower health supply professionals and managers with the latest knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of healthcare supply chains and vaccine management and in alignment with national and regional emergencies in the EAC region.
The EAC RCE is dedicated to achieving excellence in evidence-based research and the dissemination of knowledge that informs best practices in pharmaceutical, quality assurance, and healthcare supply chain management.
Jerome H. Kim, M.D., is the Director General of IVI and an international expert on the development and evaluation of vaccines. Jerome H. Kim, M.D., is the Director General of IVI and an international expert on the development and evaluation of vaccines.
Professor Padmashree Gehl Sampath is an experienced academician and leading figure in the field of development studies and global health. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Hamburg, Germany. Her extensive work spans 3 sectors namely; pharmaceuticals and health, digital economy, energy and climate change.
Dr. Anh Wartel earned her MD at the Paris XII Medical School, France, and completed a post-graduate diploma in Public Health from the University of Liverpool, UK. She is an honorary Professor at the University of Rwanda.
Anh Wartel, M.D., is the Deputy Director General, Regional Director of the IVI Europe
Kigali, March 28, 2025 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Regional Economic Community (REC) representatives and other stakeholders convened for a consultative workshop to strengthen coordination between regional pooled procurement mechanisms (PPMs) and the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM), as well as to discuss the modalities for the establishment of joint information sharing platform.
The University of Rwanda (UR), through the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management (EAC RCE-VIHSCM), and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) proudly co-hosted the 23rd International Vaccinology Course (IVC) from September 2-6, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Pursuing my MSc. in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance at University of Rwanda RCE-VIHSCM was a transformative experience that shaped me both professionally and personally. The program’s rigorous curriculum, combined with hands-on research opportunities, equipped me with cutting-edge skills in medical products analyis.
I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship and the global perspective I gained. The RCE staff, encouraged me to push boundaries during my studies. The collaborative environment among peers many of whom are now lifelong colleagues made tackling complex projects. Beyond academics, the university’s laboratories prepared me for my current role. This program doesn’t just build careers; it cultivates innovators.
I appreciate EAC RCE-VIHSCM for availing me the opportunity to pursue the course with ease. The flexibility with which the is conducted enabled me to study without straining