Vision
A Rwanda where evidence-based interventions are implemented effectively, equitably, and sustainably across all health systems.
Rwanda · Implementation Science · Health Systems
Turning evidence into routine care.
RISHS Lab generates and applies implementation science evidence to strengthen Rwanda's health system through research, training, partnerships, and policy translation.
Scientific integrityEquity and inclusionPolicy relevance
01Generate evidence
02Translate knowledge
03Improve routine care
0Recommended core research themes
0Steps in the project cycle
0Governance layers
0Core purpose: bridge evidence and delivery
About RISHS Lab
Research designed for real-world health delivery.
Rwanda Implementation Science & Health Systems Lab is envisioned as a Rwanda-registered non-governmental research and public health organization, with its recommended head office in Kigali.
Its central role is to help close the persistent gap between proven interventions and the way health services are delivered in routine settings.
Mission
To generate and apply implementation science evidence to strengthen Rwanda's health system through research, training, partnerships, and policy translation.
Core purpose
Bridge the gap between research and real-world health delivery.
6 principles behind credible and useful research
These core values guide every aspect of our work at RISHS Lab.
Scientific Integrity
We uphold rigorous, transparent, and ethical research standards.
Every RISHS Lab study follows internationally recognised research ethics protocols, undergoes independent review, and is reported with full transparency — including findings that challenge existing assumptions.
Equity and Inclusion
Ensuring the most vulnerable communities are not left behind.
Equity is built into every research question, every study design, and every policy recommendation we produce, with special attention to gender, geography, and socioeconomic status.
Community-Centredness
We co-design every intervention with the communities we serve.
Solutions designed without community voices rarely work at scale. RISHS Lab involves community health workers, patients, and local leaders in designing, testing, and refining interventions from the start.
Collaboration and Partnership
We build partnerships across government, academia, and NGOs.
No single institution can solve complex health system challenges alone. RISHS Lab actively cultivates partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, universities, and international networks.
Transparency and Accountability
We are accountable to our communities, funders, and policymakers.
RISHS Lab maintains open reporting of research methods, findings, and financial management — building trust with all stakeholders and modelling accountability standards.
Policy Relevance
Every project has a clear pathway to policy translation.
Research that never reaches decision-makers has limited impact. From the design stage, we identify the policy question, relevant decision-maker, and communication strategy to ensure evidence is actionable.
Core values
The principles behind credible and useful research.
01
Scientific integrity
Rigorous, ethical, transparent, and reproducible research.
02
Equity and inclusion
Attention to underserved and vulnerable populations in research and implementation.
03
Community partnership
Meaningful collaboration with communities, providers, districts, and decision-makers.
04
Accountability and transparency
Clear stewardship, reporting, and responsibility for results.
05
Policy relevance
Evidence translated into practical recommendations for government and partners.
06
Sustainability
Interventions designed for adoption, institutionalization, and responsible scale-up.
What we do
Five units connecting research, learning, policy, and operations.
The structure below follows the organizational plan and can be introduced in phases as the Lab grows.
IS
Implementation Science Unit
Designs and evaluates research addressing gaps between evidence and practice.
- Implementation research design
- Mixed-methods studies
- Scale-up evaluations
- Health facility assessments
RC
Research Coordination & Ethics
Manages protocols, ethical approvals, and data quality.
- IRB submissions and approvals
- Research protocol development
- Data quality assurance
- International compliance standards
TC
Training & Capacity Building
Builds local implementation science and health leadership capacity.
- Short courses in implementation science
- District health leadership training
- Mentoring and supervision programs
- Internship placements
PP
Policy Translation & Partnerships
Makes research usable by the MoH, RBC, and development partners.
- Evidence-based policy briefs
- Stakeholder roundtables and dialogues
- National dissemination events
- Health guideline development support
FO
Finance, Compliance & Operations
Creates reliable systems for grant management and operations.
- Audited financial statements
- Procurement and contracting
- HR compliance and staff management
- Audit-ready donor reporting records
Research themes
Focused priorities for Rwanda's health system.
The organizational document recommends maintaining a clear niche rather than claiming to work in every area.
Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health
Improving quality, delivery, uptake, and equity of MNCH interventions.
Working with district hospitals, health centres, and community health workers to study and improve care delivery for mothers, newborns, and children under five across Rwanda.
HIV/TB and Chronic Care
Strengthening continuity, adherence, and service-delivery models.
Studying how patients stay engaged in long-term HIV and TB treatment programs, and testing new service-delivery models that reduce drop-out and improve clinical outcomes.
Community Health Worker Systems
Supporting performance, supervision, integration, and community-centered care.
Evaluating supervision models, digital tools, and incentive structures that help Rwanda's community health workers perform effectively and sustain community-level health services.
Digital Health & Data Systems
Using digital systems and routine data to improve decisions and accountability.
Testing how electronic health records, dashboards, and real-time data platforms can support facility managers and clinicians to make faster, evidence-informed service delivery decisions.
Non-Communicable Diseases
Testing practical models for hypertension, diabetes, and chronic-care delivery.
As Rwanda's NCD burden grows, RISHS Lab designs and tests scalable care models for hypertension and diabetes management in primary health care facilities and community settings.
Mandate
Generate, test, translate, and scale evidence for stronger health services.
RISHS Lab's formal mandate connects implementation research with capacity, policy, equity, data use, and partnerships.
1
Conduct implementation science and health systems research addressing priority public health challenges in Rwanda and the region.
2
Translate research into practical recommendations that support evidence-based policy and guideline development.
3
Design, pilot, evaluate, and scale interventions that improve service delivery across health programs.
4
Build local capacity through training, mentorship, and technical assistance in implementation research, monitoring, and evaluation.
5
Promote equitable, community-centered healthcare delivery for underserved and vulnerable populations.
6
Strengthen health information systems, data use, accountability, and collaboration across academia, government, NGOs, and communities.
Governance
Clear oversight for scientific credibility and institutional trust.
General Assembly
The highest decision-making body, composed of founding members and approved new members.
It approves strategy, major policies, financial statements, and Board membership. The General Assembly ensures institutional accountability and long-term strategic direction.
Board of Directors
Provides oversight for budgets, grants, contracts, and compliance.
The Board oversees executive leadership, financial audits, reporting requirements, and donor accountability. It ensures RISHS Lab operates with transparency and scientific integrity at all levels.
Scientific & Ethics Advisory Committee
Advises on the research agenda, scientific quality, and ethics strategy.
This committee reviews research protocols, approves publication priorities, and ensures all RISHS Lab studies meet the highest ethical and methodological standards required for peer-reviewed dissemination.
Project workflow
A practical seven-step implementation science cycle.
Each project moves from an identified delivery gap to evaluation, scale-up recommendations, dissemination, and publication.
- 01Identify an implementation gap with MOH, RBC, or district partners.
- 02Conduct a rapid evidence synthesis or baseline assessment.
- 03Hold a stakeholder co-design workshop.
- 04Pilot the selected implementation approach.
- 05Evaluate implementation and outcomes using mixed methods.
- 06Prepare scale-up recommendations and a policy brief.
- 07Disseminate and publish the findings.
Founding leadership
Locally grounded leadership with a focus on evidence and strategy.
The names and roles are retained below. Photographs and detailed biographies can be inserted when provided.
John Mugisha
CEO / Lead Researcher
John Mugisha is the Co-Founder and CEO of RISHS Lab (Rwanda Implementation Science and Health Systems Lab). He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is currently a PhD Candidate in Public Health Policy and Management. John leads the laboratory's research agenda, driving evidence-based approaches to strengthen Rwanda's health systems and translate implementation science into real-world health impact.
Recent Publications
- 📄 Niyibizi J, Mugisha J, Nizeyimana E. "Public Health Achievements in Rwanda: A 21st Century Transformation." Public Health Challenges, 2026.
- 📄 Niyibizi J, Mugisha J, Songa B, Nizeyimana E, Isimbi DB. "Pharmaceutical regulatory harmonization in Africa: a scoping review of policy design, implementation approaches, and outcomes." Frontiers in Medicine, 2026.
- 📄 Ishimwe J, et al. (including Mugisha J). "Predictors for Delayed First Antenatal Care Visit in Rural Area of Rwanda: Evidence from Rwanda Demographic Health Survey 2019-2020." American Journal of Health Research, 2026.
- 📄 Dushimirimana T, et al. (including Mugisha J). "Factors influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multilevel Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey." BMC Public Health, 2025.
- 📄 Mugisha J, Niyibizi J, Zhang D. "Clinically accountable school health: a case for extending primary care into schools." Frontiers in Public Health, 2026.
- 📄 Nizeyimana E, et al. (including Mugisha J). "Trends, Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anaemia Among Rwandan Children Aged 6-59 Months: Evidence from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys (2010-2020)." Research Square, 2026.
Niyibizi Julius
Head of Strategy / Co-Founder
PHN. Niyibizi Julius is the Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at RISHS Lab (Rwanda Implementation Science and Health Systems Lab). He holds a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacy and a Master of Public Health (MPH), and is currently a PhD Candidate in Public Health Policy and Management. Julius brings strategic leadership and a strong foundation in pharmaceutical and public health sciences to guide RISHS Lab's partnerships, health systems initiatives, and long-term organizational vision.
Recent Publications
- 📄 Niyibizi J, Wang R. "The regional impact and control strategies of schistosomiasis in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda: a narrative review." Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 2026.
- 📄 Niyibizi J, Isimbi BD. "Investigating the resurgence of malaria in Rwanda: factors contributing to rising cases amidst near-eradication success and strategies for sustained control." Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 2025.
- 📄 Sam A, Niyibizi J, Koray MH. "Bridging gaps in the elimination of deep mycoses: a comparative analysis of mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis control strategies in Rwanda and China." Tropical Medicine and Health, 2025.
- 📄 Wang RS, et al. (including Niyibizi J). "Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of electronic medication monitoring system to improve antipsychotic adherence: a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid pilot study." BMC Psychiatry, 2026.
Contact and partnerships
Work with RISHS Lab.
RISHS Lab welcomes collaboration with government institutions, universities, health facilities, NGOs, donors, and community organizations.
Head officeKigali, Rwanda (recommended)
Emailinfo@rishslab.org.rw
Websiterishslab.org.rw