Research at IMB

At Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB), we believe that rigorous, equity-driven research is essential to improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems. Grounded in the Partners in Health value of accompaniment, our research provides the necessary evidence not only to ensure our interventions are clinically impactful and use our resources efficiently, but also to reach the most vulnerable populations. Our research questions are guided by our mission to support the design and implementation of quality health services in Rwanda.

A Social Justice Approach to Research

Our research activities are grounded in the conviction that everyone deserves access to high-quality, evidence-based care. We work alongside the Rwandan Ministry of Health, national and international academic partners, and local communities to generate actionable evidence. We focus on projects that align with national priorities, strengthen our clinical programs, and amplify the voices of our patients.

Our Research Priorities

We work across a range of thematic areas that reflect Rwanda’s health landscape, our clinical programs, and the needs of those in the communities we serve:

Non-Communicable Diseases: Focuses on hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, nutrition, chronic respiratory diseases, and surgical care, with an emphasis on improving disease detection, care delivery, and the integration of multimorbid conditions.
Oncology: Examines the full patient journey, including stigma, perceptions of care, early detection, diagnostics, and access to palliative care.
Maternal and Child Health: Addresses antenatal care, neonatal infections, child development, and parental mental health.
Mental Health: Investigates the role of social support, economic empowerment, and care models for people living with common and severe mental health conditions.
Health Systems Strengthening: Studies hospital accreditation, antimicrobial resistance, pharmaceutical supply chains, and approaches to enhance patient-centered care.
Economic Empowerment: Evaluates the impact of agricultural support and financial protection on socioeconomic well-being and access to healthcare.

Building Research Capacity

We believe that meaningful research can only be conducted with the close involvement of local communities and a diversity of stakeholders and, therefore, invest heavily in building lasting research capacity in Rwanda. With our partners, the University of Global Health Equity, the University of Rwanda, and the Ministry of Health, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers in Rwanda and East Africa. Together, we provide hands-on mentorship, support masters- and doctoral-level student research, and train professionals on a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods. IMB is recognized as a leading non-academic institution for research capacity building in the country.

Collaboration Opportunities

IMB welcomes collaboration with researchers, students, and institutions interested in conducting ethical, impactful research that advances health equity. We work across sectors and disciplines and are open to joint projects both within and beyond our core focus areas.