Rwanda has only two oncologists

{As the world marked the cancer day yesterday, Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) revealed that Rwanda has only two oncologists, specialized doctors in treating cancer, despite the severity of the disease across different parts of the country. RBC however says that the Ministry of Health is putting in a lot of efforts to take care of cancer patients.}

In an interview with IGIHE, Dr. Marie-Aimee Muhimpundu, the head of Non Communicable Diseases at RBC, said that Rwanda has only two specialists in treating cancer supported general practitioners.

Dr.Muhimpundu says that in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MINISANTE) some medical personnel are being trained in the treatment of cancer and will practicing in the next three years.

She added that cancer drugs cannot be accessed by every Rwandan as Mituelle de santé does not cover the insurance of cancer treatment.

“They are not drugs that everyone can afford. It requires USD2500 for a cancer patient to get healed depending on the type of cancer,” she said.

Dr.Muhimpundi said that the country has also few hospitals with the capacity of treating compared to the number of Rwandans suffering from cancer.

These hospitals include King Faisal hospital, Butaro Hospital, Rwanda Military Hospital and CHUK.

Regarding the expensive cost of cancer drugs, she said that they are advocating for the reduction of prices and avail such treatment free of charge.