Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, has been named to TIME magazine’s 2026 TIME100 Health list, which was published on Wednesday, February 11, recognising 100 individuals considered to be shaping the future of global health. ALSO READ: Rwandan health minister among TIME100 influential figures Dr. Nsanzimana was honoured for “stopping a viral outbreak,” recognising his role in responding to Rwanda’s Marburg virus outbreak in 2024. The deadly hemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola, posed a serious public health threat when cases were first confirmed in the country. ALSO READ: Rwanda confirms Marburg outbreak, steps up preventive measures Under his leadership, health authorities swiftly activated emergency response systems, strengthened surveillance and contact tracing, and coordinated treatment and containment efforts that ultimately brought the outbreak under control. Rwanda reported its first Marburg case on September 27, 2024, and the outbreak was declared over on December 20, 2024, after 42 days with no new cases. ALSO READ: Explainer: The origin of Marburg virus, name and nature On the TIME100 health list, Dr. Nsanzimana appears alongside prominent international figures this year, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the United States Secretary of Health, and Human Services; David Ricks, CEO of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, recognised for accelerating drug research; and Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, noted for championing the nursing profession worldwide. Founded in 1923, TIME is one of the world’s most recognised news magazines. In 1999, it launched the now-famous TIME100, an annual list highlighting 100 of the most influential people across politics, business, science, sports, entertainment, and activism. Over time, the publication expanded the concept to include specialised lists focusing on particular sectors, including health, artificial intelligence, and climate. The TIME100 Health list specifically recognises leaders in medicine, public health, research, biotechnology, and health policy whose work is influencing how the world prevents and responds to disease, strengthens healthcare systems, and advances medical innovation.
