TIME magazine honoured Dr. Nsanzimana in the Innovation category, recognising his pioneering role in advancing public health in Rwanda and beyond. His tribute was penned by Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, who highlighted the minister's commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring equity in healthcare delivery.
'Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana says that if you want to quickly learn how a country's health system is doing, you only have to look at two indicators: maternal and child mortality. Over the past 25 years, Rwanda has made stunning improvements on these metrics. But Dr. Nsanzimana committed to driving them even lowerâ€"because everyone deserves to survive childbirth and childhood,' Suzman wrote.
An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Nsanzimana gained international attention in 2024 after successfully leading efforts to halt a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, achieving the lowest recorded fatality for such an outbreak.
Since assuming office as Minister of Health, he has prioritised equitable access to proven health solutions, including scaling up nutritional support for pregnant women during the perinatal period.
The TIME100 Next list, a companion to the renowned TIME100, spotlights the 'world's most influential rising stars'. This includes leaders, innovators, advocates, artists, and change-makers who are redefining the next generation of leadership. Honourees come from diverse fields, ranging from politics and science to the arts and technology.
This year's TIME100 Next list placed Dr. Nsanzimana among a diverse group of global innovators. His fellow honorees in this category included Afrobeats musician Rema, celebrated playwright Sanaz Toossi, de-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, rising hip-hop artist GloRilla, young football phenom Lamine Yamal, and venture capital tech executive Fatoumata Ba.
Dr. Nsanzimana's recognition not only underscores his influence on Rwanda's health sector but also positions him as a leading voice in shaping equitable healthcare solutions for the world.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
