A pioneering ambulance dispatch and triage system, developed through collaboration between the University of Birmingham, the Rwanda Build Program (RWBuild), and local partners, was officially launched in Kigali. The innovative software, called 912Rwanda, is expected to transform emergency healthcare in Rwanda and has the potential to save nearly one million lives globally.
The system, developed with funding from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the US National Institute of Health, helps ambulance crews and hospitals coordinate faster care for emergency patients. By using a Destination Decision Support Algorithm (DDSA), the software recommends the nearest healthcare facility capable of treating the patient’s specific needs, ensuring critically ill or injured patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Professor Justine Davies of the University of Birmingham, co-Principal Investigator of the project, explained:
“Each one of these phases—finding the patient and then finding the right facility for that patient—is likely to dramatically reduce the time it takes for emergency patients to get to the treatment they need. In emergency care, minutes saved equals lives saved.”
The software is already in use in Kigali, where it has been applied in more than 20,000 ambulance journeys. The first phase improved response times by helping dispatchers locate patients quickly, even in areas with limited smartphone access. The newly launched second phase goes further by directing ambulances to the most suitable hospitals while transmitting patient data ahead of arrival.
Rob Rickard, Director of the Rwanda Build Program, highlighted the significance:
“Incorporating the DDSA into 912Rwanda ensures instant, accurate decisions about the nearest appropriate facility. It marks a pivotal shift toward more precise and time-efficient emergency responses.”
Rwanda’s ambulance services previously relied on multiple phone calls between dispatchers, patients, and hospitals, often causing delays of up to 30 minutes. The 912Rwanda software replaces this with real-time digital communication between dispatchers, ambulances, and healthcare facilities.
Professor Jean Claude Byiringiro of the University of Rwanda noted:
“We believe the programme can make a significant impact in Rwanda, reducing the time it takes to get injured patients to hospital. Importantly, it could play a key role in developing similar solutions in countries facing the same challenges.”
The project is a joint effort between the Universities of Birmingham, Rwanda, and Utah, alongside the Rwandan Ministry of Health, RWBuild, and global academic partners. Professor Sudha Jayaraman, Principal Investigator of the project’s first phase and Director of the Center for Global Surgery at the University of Utah, emphasised the broader vision:
“The success of 912Rwanda reflects strong government support and Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional leader in healthcare innovation. This system sets an international example for emergency medical services.”
The 912Rwanda programme demonstrates how African-led innovation, supported by global research partnerships, can deliver practical, life-saving solutions for low- and middle-income countries — and potentially the world.
