Dr. Edgar Kalimba

About Me:

Dr. Edgar Kalimba is a Senior Consultant Pediatrician, Pediatric Pulmonologist, healthcare executive, researcher, educator, and clinical leader with nearly two decades of experience in healthcare delivery, medical education, research, and hospital management. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Medical Services at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, a position to which he was appointed by the Cabinet of the Republic of Rwanda in January 2025.

Dr. Kalimba earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the National University of Rwanda School of Medicine in 2007. Driven by a passion for child health and specialized pediatric care, he pursued postgraduate training in Pediatrics in South Africa from 2010 to 2014 before completing a Fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in 2015. Since then, he has dedicated his career to advancing pediatric and respiratory healthcare services while contributing to the development of Rwanda's healthcare system.

Over the past decade, Dr. Kalimba has played a pivotal role in strengthening pediatric services at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, where he has led the Pediatric Department and provided specialized care to children ranging from newborns to adolescents. Known for his compassionate and patient-centered approach, he is deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of children and their families through evidence-based, high-quality care.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Kalimba has held several senior leadership positions within the healthcare sector. Between 2017 and 2021, he served in executive leadership roles including Director, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Interim Chief Executive Officer. During this period, he completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management from Oklahoma Christian University, further strengthening his expertise in healthcare leadership and organizational management.

In 2018, Dr. Kalimba was seconded to the Jeanne Ebori Mother and Child Foundation Hospital Center (CHUMEFJE) in Gabon as Director of Medical Services. In this role, he was responsible for network development, physician and hospital contracting, performance assessment, quality improvement initiatives, and the implementation of health information systems. His leadership contributed significantly to the establishment and operationalization of one of the region's leading maternal and child health institutions.

A passionate researcher and academic, Dr. Kalimba is currently pursuing a PhD at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium. He serves as Principal Investigator for two major research initiatives at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda: the HealthyStart Clinical Trial, which focuses on addressing early childhood growth faltering and stunting, and the Malaria Drug Resistance Research Laboratory, which is advancing scientific understanding of emerging resistance patterns and informing public health interventions.

Dr. Kalimba is also a faculty member at Africa Health Sciences University, where he contributes to the education, mentorship, and professional development of future healthcare professionals. His academic interests span pediatric respiratory diseases, child health, clinical research, healthcare systems strengthening, and healthcare leadership.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kalimba has demonstrated a unique ability to combine clinical excellence with strategic leadership, driving innovation, quality improvement, and organizational growth. He remains committed to advancing healthcare delivery, medical education, and research in Rwanda and across the African continent.

Areas of Expertise:
• Pediatrics and Child Health

• Pediatric Pulmonology

• Healthcare Leadership and Management

• Clinical Research

• Health Systems Strengthening

• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

• Medical Education and Mentorship

• Strategic Planning and Healthcare Operations

Education & Qualifications:
• PhD Candidate, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Management, Oklahoma Christian University, USA

• Fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

• Residency Training in Pediatrics, South Africa

• Doctor of Medicine (MD), National University of Rwanda

Leadership Roles:
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Medical Services, King Faisal Hospital Rwanda

• Former Director of Medical Services, Jeanne Ebori Mother and Child Foundation Hospital Center (CHUMEFJE), Gabon

• Faculty Member, Africa Health Sciences University

Research & Academic Interests:
• Pediatric Respiratory Diseases

• Child Growth and Development

• Early Childhood Nutrition and Stunting Prevention

• Malaria Research and Drug Resistance

• Health Systems Strengthening

• Clinical Trials and Translational Research

• Medical Education and Capacity Building

Core Leadership Competencies:
• Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Healthcare Operations Management

• Performance Improvement

• Physician Alignment and Engagement

• Quality Improvement Leadership

• Service Excellence

• Organizational Culture Development

• Team Leadership and Talent Development