Pilot Launch: Resilience Messaging in Health Centers
Supporting Resilience for Rwanda’s Healthcare Workers
Recent research conducted by TIP Global Health revealed a critical need among Rwanda’s frontline healthcare workers (HCWs)—70% of whom are women—for tools to help manage the daily pressures of healthcare delivery. These HCWs are at the forefront of healthcare in their communities, working tirelessly to meet the needs of their patients, but often without adequate support to maintain their own well-being. In response, TIP Global Health, in collaboration with Thrive Global and Johnson & Johnson, developed the Resilience Messaging Program, a comprehensive support tool integrated into our E-Heza digital platform to address these challenges head-on and foster a sustainable sense of well-being among HCWs.
The Resilience Messaging Program is designed to provide healthcare workers with regular, evidence-based, and culturally adapted guidance that promotes resilience. Delivered through the E-Heza platform, the program sends three tailored messages each week over a six-month period, with each message focusing on one of five key pillars essential to resilience: Stress Management, Mindfulness & Relaxation, Self-Care, Connecting to Purpose, and Connecting with Others. By encouraging HCWs to incorporate simple, meaningful acts of self-care—such as taking a moment to breathe, pausing for hydration, or practicing quick stretches—the program aims to help them build resilience gradually and effectively.
The messages, created in partnership with Thrive Global and Johnson & Johnson, are carefully adapted for the specific tone, cultural context, and language of Rwandan healthcare workers. This cultural adaptation ensures that the content resonates with HCWs on a personal level, making it easier for them to integrate these practices into their busy routines. Initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. HCWs enrolled in this program report feeling supported and valued, knowing that there are people who care about their well-being and resilience. By taking small steps toward self-care and mindfulness, healthcare workers report feeling more balanced, less overwhelmed, and better equipped to meet the demands of their roles. As one nurse says, “The message offers hope, encouraging us to care for ourselves and enabling me to deliver quality service”.
In addition to the weekly messages, TIP Global Health’s team strengthens the program’s impact through biweekly phone check-ins and monthly peer meetings. These peer meetings and check-ins serve as valuable spaces for healthcare workers to reflect on their experiences, share feedback, and engage in deeper discussions around the resilience pillars. This peer connection fosters a supportive network among HCWs, reinforcing their commitment to the resilience practices shared through the messages. HCWs also complete a Resilience & Coping Survey at baseline and monthly over the six months program period, allowing TIP Global Health to collect real-time insights and adapt the program based on their responses. These insights are invaluable for continuously refining the program to ensure that it meets the evolving needs of HCWs in the field.
Piloted in two health centers, the Resilience Messaging Program has already received strong engagement and positive feedback from healthcare workers.This program not only benefits individual HCWs but also informs TIP Global Health’s approach to healthcare policy by demonstrating the importance of workforce well-being as a core component of a resilient healthcare system. By using data-driven strategies that focus on resilience and mental health, TIP Global Health is helping lay the groundwork for a healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of the people who deliver essential care to their communities. This systemic approach has the potential to create long-term impact, ensuring that healthcare workers feel supported, valued, and empowered to sustain their critical roles.
Through the Resilience Messaging Program, TIP Global Health is showing that fostering resilience and supporting mental health are essential to building a sustainable healthcare system. The program serves as a reminder that healthcare workers are not just providers but also individuals who deserve the support they need to thrive. By investing in the well-being of HCWs, TIP Global Health is helping to create healthier communities from the inside out—starting with the very individuals who make these communities stronger every day.
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