In April 2025, the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), in partnership with the CDC Foundation, hosted a five-day “Surveillance Data Analysis and Report Writing Workshop” in Kigali. The training was designed to build the capacity of Ministry of Health and RBC staff to transform mortality and surveillance data into actionable information—ultimately improving Rwanda’s disease trend monitoring and public health communication.

The workshop brought together data managers, analysts and health specialists working in malaria, cervical cancer and hypertension surveillance. Participants were selected based on their current roles in health data management and their commitment to ongoing reporting for the Rwanda Public Health Bulletin (RPHB), which has been publishing key public health data since 2019.

To ensure sustainability, the workshop centered on using Microsoft Excel to analyze the data, a widely available and familiar tool among staff. Participants practiced data cleaning, descriptive analysis and merging datasets using Power Query and pivot tables. For example, malaria surveillance data were combined with 2022 census data to calculate rates. Sessions focused on using Excel to create informative publication-ready tables, figures and even maps, giving participants firsthand experience in data transformation and visualization. These practical skills were then applied in group work, where participants developed draft reports on malaria, cervical cancer and hypertension using the standardized IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion) format.

The workshop also addressed critical bottlenecks in data use, including inconsistent reporting formats and limited dissemination. Participants were introduced to a standardized RPHB reporting template and reviewed draft standard operating procedures for accessing data and developed recommendations to promote routine data analysis and reporting. The aim of the workshop was to ensure consistency, timeliness and clarity in how data are shared with decision-makers.

The emphasis on visualization was key, reflecting the workshop’s strong focus on effective public health communication. Participants also practiced articulating data-driven recommendations, an essential skill for influencing policy and programming.

Several structural challenges were identified and discussed during the workshop, including restricted access to data, varying Excel versions across devices, and the overwhelming size of annual reports. Participants and facilitators co-developed realistic solutions such as:

·      Breaking large reports into shorter, disease-specific publications

·      Increasing dissemination through staff meetings and digital bulletins

·      Encouraging more frequent, smaller-scale reporting

·      Building internal mentorship to sustain data use practices

The workshop’s interactive format, including daily debriefs and peer-reviewed group presentations kept participants engaged and supported reflection. Evaluation feedback highlighted the value of the hands-on Excel sessions and the practical relevance of the IMRAD structure.

By the end of the week, participants produced draft surveillance reports that could be adapted across disease areas. The RPHB team will continue to support participants to finalize and publish their reports. Ongoing mentorship, additional Excel practice, and periodic refresher workshops were recommended to reinforce skills and promote routine use of data for decision-making.