Rejected, but not defeated: How one woman helped build Rwanda’s diagnostic systems

Rwanda’s modern story is one of reconstruction, institutional rebuilding, and an enduring belief in human potential. In the decades following national upheaval, the country invested not only in roads, schools and hospitals, but also in people willing to return, rebuild and redefine what was possible. Within this broader arc of national renewal, leaders in science and public health emerged, individuals shaped by adversity and driven by service. Among them is Dr Isabelle Mukagatare, Head of the Biomedical Services Department at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). Her portfolio covers the National Reference Laboratory, Blood Transfusion Division, medical technology and health infrastructure, as well as implementation of Rwanda’s Genomic Strategy. ALSO READ: Inside the rise of specialised labs in Rwanda’s health system Her journey to leadership began far from national offices and laboratory networks—with a young girl determined to become a doctor. “I was born abroad into a family of seven children—two boys and five girls,” she recalls. “From primary school, I used to tell my mother, ‘I want to become a doctor.’ She would say, ‘Then you must study hard.’ I understood early that dreams require effort.” A dream tested early Mukagatare consistently ranked at the top of her class. But strong academic performance did not shield her from structural barriers. In the country where she studied, foreign students had to score significantly higher marks than nationals to gain admission to public secondary schools. “You could rank first and still be told your chances were limited simply because you were not a citizen,” she says. “Many Rwandan students faced the same challenge.” ALSO READ: Rwanda awarded for empowering women leaders Instead of giving up, she worked harder. “I believed I deserved the same opportunity as my classmates. That strengthened my determination.” Her efforts paid off when she secured admission to a prestigious Jesuit secondary school in a neighbouring country. Excellence and hostility Excelling academically also exposed her to hostility. “As a Rwandan girl ranking first, some classmates questioned why a girl should lead academically. Others made remarks about me being Rwandan and performing better than them. Today we call it bullying. At the time, you simply endured it.” Rather than discourage her, the experience strengthened her resolve. “I refused to feel ashamed of being Rwandan or of performing well.” At home, she found support in her mother. “Having someone who listens and reassures you makes a big difference. I always encourage young people not to internalise these situations. Speak to someone you trust.” ALSO READ: Closing the gender gap in Rwanda’s health sector Refusing to abandon medicine When applying to university, Mukagatare selected medicine as both her first and second choices. Despite having the highest marks among her peers, she was instead placed in a broader faculty combining agriculture, biology and pharmacy. Determined to change the decision, she went to the Ministry of Education with her academic records and was advised to submit a formal appeal. “I sat outside and wrote a letter in French to the minister explaining my case,” she recalls. When university began, she reported to the faculty where she had been placed but the following day she walked into the Faculty of Medicine and started attending lectures. ALSO READ: Minister Uwimana urges women to overcome fear, step into leadership roles “I followed the classes seriously and prepared for assessments even though my transfer had not yet been approved.” Shortly before the main examinations, a list of approved transfer requests was posted. “My name was on it. The joy I felt is difficult to describe.” After Rwanda’s liberation, she returned home and completed her studies, graduating in 2002 as a medical doctor. Choosing a different path During clinical rotations, Mukagatare developed a strong interest in surgery and was encouraged by mentors who believed she could become one of Rwanda’s first female surgeons. At the same time, her research in cardiology sparked a deeper interest in diagnostics and laboratory science. ALSO READ: Lift as you climb: The power of women’s leadership, mentorship “I realised that strengthening diagnostic systems could impact thousands of patients.” She pursued specialised laboratory training in Belgium and France—entering a field that was still underdeveloped in Rwanda. “My supervisor encouraged me to stay abroad, but I always intended to return home.” Building Rwanda’s diagnostic capacity Mukagatare returned to Rwanda in 2011, helping strengthen national laboratory systems and train new professionals. She later worked internationally supporting laboratory capacity across several African countries before returning home again. In 2022, she assumed leadership of Biomedical Services at RBC. “A laboratory result determines treatment decisions,” she explains. “If the result is wrong, the treatment can also be wrong. That is why quality and accreditation are critical.” ALSO READ: Homes in transition: The test of equality Under her leadership, Rwanda has expanded diagnostic capacity across district hospitals, decentralised molecular testing, and strengthened responses to emerging diseases such as Marburg virus disease. Hospitals including the University Teaching Hospitals of Kigali (CHUK) and Butare (CHUB), King Faisal Hospital and other teaching hospitals have also received advanced medical technologies such as MRI machines and modern laboratory platforms. “Our goal is for Rwanda to no longer depend on sending samples abroad to understand diseases affecting our population.” Rwanda’s blood transfusion system has also achieved certification from the African Society for Blood Transfusion, while laboratories across the country are working toward international accreditation. A message to young girls As Rwanda celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, Mukagatare has a clear message for young girls. “Believe that your brain is equal to anyone else’s. There is no subject reserved for boys,” she says. She encourages persistence even when ambitions evolve. “I once thought I would become a surgeon, but I discovered my purpose in laboratory medicine. The path may change, but the goal of serving others remains.” Her advice extends beyond professional success. “There is dignity in work. Whether you start small or pursue a profession, what matters is contributing to society.” In many ways, Mukagatare’s journey mirrors Rwanda’s own—shaped by resilience, guided by determination, and driven by a commitment to build systems that serve people.

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Rejected, but not defeated: How one woman helped build Rwanda’s diagnostic systems