The celebration took place on October 17, 2025, as the institution reflected on its long journey supporting hospitals and health centers across Rwanda.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, praised BUFMAR for its significant contribution to reducing preventable deaths and improving life expectancy in Rwanda.
“When BUFMAR was founded, life expectancy was below 45 years. Today, it has risen to over 70 years,” he said. “Maternal deaths have declined thanks to better access to equipment, trained personnel, and essential medicines, all areas where BUFMAR has played a major role. Child mortality has also dropped, and this improvement has directly boosted life expectancy.”
Dr. Nsanzimana explained that in the year 2000, 1,000 mothers out of every 100,000 live births died during childbirth. With around 500,000 births each year, that figure has reduced to 105 maternal deaths per 100,000.
“We aim to reduce that number to between 70 and 50 by 2028,” he said. “To achieve this, we need hospitals equipped with reliable instruments, modern ultrasound machines, available and affordable medicines, and trained personnel. That’s where BUFMAR’s contribution is critical.”
The minister encouraged BUFMAR to expand its operations beyond Rwanda, to support other African countries struggling with similar healthcare challenges, revealing that five countries have already expressed interest in benefiting from BUFMAR’s services and experience.
BUFMAR’s Director General, Mrs. Monique Gahongayire, said that reaching 50 years is a major milestone that reflects the institution’s resilience and consistent service to Rwanda’s health system.
“After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many institutions closed, and BUFMAR was not spared. Some staff were killed, others fled, and infrastructure was destroyed,” she recalled. “Continuing operations afterward felt like starting from zero, but we are proud that our mission never completely stopped.”
She also highlighted BUFMAR’s uniqueness as an interfaith initiative that unites different religious congregations under a shared purpose: “BUFMAR is a symbol, an example, and a testimony that when people come together for a noble cause, even with their differences, they can achieve great things.”
Gahongayire added that the organization plans to work more closely with the government and private sector to explore local manufacturing of certain medical supplies.
“Because Rwanda is a landlocked country, importing supplies is costly, not due to national issues but because of transport, currency fluctuations, and distance from ports. We are now exploring ways to start producing some of these items here in Rwanda,” she explained.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, said BUFMAR’s 50 years symbolize the power of unity among religious institutions in serving the nation.
“This is an interfaith organization, for 50 years, different churches have worked together to ensure people access affordable, quality healthcare,” he said. “It’s a sign that the Church can make a lasting contribution to the country’s well-being.”
Founded in 1975, BUFMAR specializes in the supply of medicines and medical equipment such as syringes, gloves, masks, surgical tools, X-ray machines, and other essential hospital devices.
It also supports capacity building through training programs and technical assistance to hospitals and health centers.
Today, BUFMAR works with 163 health facilities, including 18 hospitals and 145 health centers affiliated with the Catholic Church and other denominations.
The celebration concluded with gratitude to First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who sent her congratulations, and wished the institution a joyful Golden Jubilee.
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