In a world obsessed with instant results, weight loss has become yet another race against time. In Rwanda, as elsewhere, the pressure to look a certain way, amplified by social media and celebrity endorsements has fuelled a worrying rise in shortcuts to slimming down. From unregulated injections and imported drugs to risky surgeries abroad and fake “miracle” products sold online, many are gambling with their health in pursuit of fast results. ALSO READ: Ozempic: What Rwandan officials say about diabetes, obesity drug? The danger lies not just in what these shortcuts promise, but in what they ignore. Powerful drugs like Ozempic were developed for specific medical conditions and require careful supervision. Used casually, without screening or follow-up, they can trigger dehydration, organ stress, hormonal imbalance and long-term complications. The same applies to bariatric surgeries pursued abroad as quick fixes, often without the essential aftercare that makes such procedures safe and effective. What begins as a cosmetic choice can quickly become a medical crisis. Perhaps most troubling is the growing market for untested slimming products sold through informal networks. Weight loss achieved through dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or organ strain is not health. It is harmful disguised as progress. Behind the shrinking waistlines are stories of weakness, regret and bodies pushed beyond safe limits. ALSO READ: Stay healthy on your way to weight loss Yet this rush for shortcuts stands in stark contrast to the path the country has deliberately chosen. For years, the government has championed healthy living through practical, inclusive measures. Twice-monthly car-free days have turned city streets into open gyms, encouraging citizens to walk, jog and cycle together. Public servants are allowed free access to gyms across the country, a clear signal that physical activity is not a luxury, but a public good. These initiatives recognise a simple truth: lasting health is built through consistency, not speed. The message is clear. There is no injection that replaces discipline, no pill that builds strength, and no surgery that teaches healthy habits on its own. Weight loss, when needed, should be guided by medical professionals and grounded in patience, movement and balanced nutrition.
