UR’s Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering & eHealth designated as WHO collaborating centre for the Family of International Classifications

The Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE) at the University of Rwanda was officially designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre for the family of international classifications. Being a WHO collaborating centre means that it will help to advance the development, revision, and implementation of WHO Classifications ( ICD, ICHI, and ICF).

This milestone was achieved when the WHO Family of International Classifications Network (WHO-FIC) was meeting in Kigali. Among the discussions include refining the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and enhancing coding of health interventions using the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). All work was aimed at strengthening global health data comparability and efficiency.

This occasion marked the signing a tripartite MoU with UR, Rwanda Ministry of Health and World Health Organization to boost clinical and public health interventions, research, and capacity building. This collaboration will implement WHO’s Family of International Classifications to enhance health system data, from tracking causes of death to improving health financing and universal coverage.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General of the World Health Organization stated that his organization has established a Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Rwanda.

“The centre is the second one in Africa that will support WHO’s work in health classifications standards
development, capacity building and ensuring accuracy and reliability of health data from across the world” said WHO boss, he was pleased to join 120 world experts convened by the UR Centre, helping to advance disease classifications.

Delegates were engaged in vital discussions to refine global health data standards. This gathering is a key step toward improving the recording, collection, and use of clinical and public health information, ensuring better decision-making and stronger health systems worldwide.