Ambulance technology developed in Rwanda by experts from the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with a local software company, has the potential to save nearly one million lives.

Overview of the 912Rwanda Software

• Developed by the Rwanda Build Program (RWBuild) with local and international partners.
• Launched on August 4, 2025.
• Facilitates faster coordination between ambulance crews and hospitals for emergency patients.
• Automatically recommends the nearest available healthcare facility based on patient needs.

Impact on Health Outcomes

The software is expected to:

• Reduce serious disabilities for approximately 250 million individuals who suffer injuries annually in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Decrease mortality and disability from critical medical conditions such as:
  1. Post-partum hemorrhage
  2. Sepsis
  3. Malaria
  4. Heart attacks
  5. Strokes

Expert Insights

Jean Claude Byiringiro, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Rwanda, stated:

“We believe that the programme can make a significant impact in Rwanda, reducing the time it takes to get injured patients to hospital. Importantly, the project could play a key role in developing similar solutions in countries facing the same sort of problems.”

Operational Phases

The initial phase of the software, which prioritizes ambulance deployment based on basic data collected by dispatchers, is already operational in Kigali. It has facilitated over 20,000 journeys, enabling ambulance teams to quickly locate patients in areas with limited smartphone access.

The second phase introduces a novel triage software that includes a Destination Decision Support Algorithm (DDSA). This algorithm allows ambulance crews to:

• Capture essential patient information.
• Recommend the nearest suitable healthcare facility for treatment.

Funding and Support

The project has received over £3 million in funding from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and nearly $1 million from the United States National Institute of Health.

Conclusion

This innovative software not only aims to improve emergency care in Rwanda but also serves as a model for similar initiatives in other countries facing healthcare challenges.