Category: Health

Under the theme, “Building resilient and sustainable surgical services in Africa,” the conference emphasized the urgent need to expand surgical capacity and deliver life-saving care to underserved communities.

In his remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, disclosed the plan and highlighted the significant need for more surgeons in in the country.

“We have only 162 surgeons, yet we need a thousand. This seems like an impossible mission, but it is possible,” he said. Through the government’s “4×4” program, the number of surgical residents has grown from just three annual intakes to over 60 in 2024.

“We have expanded training sites to provincial hospitals and the plan is to decentralize them to district hospitals. By bringing training closer to the communities, we not only increase the number of surgeons but also ensure patients receive timely care without needing long-distance transfers,” Nsanzimana explained.

He assured that expanding training would not compromise quality. “Training more does not mean reducing quality. We can have both the needed numbers and the required quality standards,” he emphasized.

The minister encouraged young doctors to consider careers in surgery, highlighting the unique role of human expertise. “With advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, surgery remains one field that cannot be replaced by machines. AI will assist surgeons, but it cannot replace the human touch required for critical procedures,” he said.

He expressed confidence in Rwanda’s ability to meet its ambitious goals. “We have a plan, not just a dream. With the support of our partners and the dedication of our medical community, we will bring surgical care closer to those who need it most,” he declared.

This initiative aligns with the 76th World Health Assembly’s call in May 2023 to strengthen emergency, critical, and operative care services as part of Sustainable Development Goal 3 which stipulates ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente, representing President Paul Kagame, reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to universal surgical care.

“Surgery is not a luxury; it is a fundamental pillar of healthcare. Rwanda recognizes the critical role of surgical care in achieving universal health coverage,” he said.

He detailed the government’s roadmap to expand surgical capacity by investing in training and infrastructure.
“We are activating and expanding teaching hospitals across our communities. Our goal is to train the next generation of surgeons in areas that are geographically accessible,” he stated.

Rwanda is also collaborating with global partners to enhance surgical education. The government has partnered with Operation Smile and UNHCR Africa to equip specialists with advanced techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgeries.

“These partnerships reflect our commitment to sustainable change, not only in Rwanda but across the continent,” the Prime Minister said.

Operation Smile, a key partner, is playing a vital role in decentralizing surgical care. Co-founder and CEO Kathy Magee stressed the importance of local capacity-building.

“To ensure that every child has access to care close to home, we harness the talent and resources within the country,” she said.

The organization employs a “hub-and-spoke” model to facilitate care delivery. The central hub, based in Kigali at CHUK and the Rwanda Military Hospital, supports six district hospitals in Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Kibuye, Bushenge, Kibungo, and Rwinkwavu.

This model enables patients in remote areas to access quality surgical services without traveling to major urban centers.

“We have gained the trust of Rwanda’s leading plastic surgeons, Professor Faustin Ntirenganya and Dr. Charles Furaha. Their leadership is instrumental in shaping our five-year plan and strengthening surgical education,” Magee noted.

As the Pan-African Surgical Conference continues, Rwanda’s vision stands out as a model for the continent.
Through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to training, Rwanda is paving the way for a future where every district hospital has a surgeon and every patient has access to life-saving surgical care.

The insurance vouchers were issued on February 22, 2025, following a community service activity (Umuganda) conducted by the company’s staff, local residents, government officials, and various stakeholders.

During the exercise, participants cleaned the Kigali Golf Course and its surroundings and planted 80 additional trees, complementing the 420 trees previously planted. The initiative aligns with the company’s environmental efforts to introduce a variety of tree species, including coffee, mango, and tea.

A Token of Appreciation to the Community

RUGC’s acting CEO, Gaston Gasore, expressed appreciation to the communities surrounding the Kigali Golf Course for being valuable partners in maintaining the facility’s aesthetic appeal.

“We called upon you to support us, and you turned up in large numbers. It wouldn’t be fair for RUGC to focus solely on itself, which is why we decided to show our gratitude by providing health insurance to some of you who may not afford it. It’s important that our neighbours have access to good healthcare,” Gasore stated.

The Head of Business Banking at NCBA Bank Rwanda, Nkubito Samuel, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that supporting residents’ healthcare needs aligns with their commitment to community well-being.

“It is heartbreaking to hear about people suffering at home because they cannot afford health insurance. We welcomed this idea because the community is our primary stakeholder,” he said.

The Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Juliet Kabera, commended RUGC and its partners for their noble initiative, which combined community service and support for vulnerable residents.

“This initiative embodies core Rwandan values, including unity, as we see people coming together and forming new friendships. It also reflects a strong work ethic and, most importantly, a spirit of generosity towards those in need,” Kabera noted.

RUGC is responsible for the management and maintenance of Kigali Golf Course, overseeing various development projects, including the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas.

This prestigious project features the Kigali Golf Course, a state-of-the-art Clubhouse, tennis courts, a running trail, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and a fine dining area. The Clubhouse also offers a range of golf accessories, including professional attire, golf clubs, and bags.

The bill, which was approved in principle on November 5, 2024, officially entered the review process on February 17, 2025.

One of its key provisions states that individuals aged 15 and above have the right to make independent decisions regarding their access to reproductive health information and services.

According to the explanations provided, the term “age of maturity” in this law refers to individuals aged 15 and above.

Statistics from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion indicate that 22,454 teenage girls were victims of sexual abuse and became pregnant in 2024, highlighting the severity of the issue.

In 2020, 19,701 teenage pregnancies were recorded, increasing to 23,111 in 2021 and 24,472 in 2022. However, in 2023, the number slightly decreased to 22,055.

Health authorities affirm that previous prevention methods, such as abstinence and condom use, have not yielded sufficient results, hence the need to facilitate adolescents’ access to family planning services.

The Sixth Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reveals that some women aged 15-19 have undergone abortions, are currently pregnant, or are already mothers taking care of children.

A significant number of these young mothers come from rural areas and have only completed primary or secondary education.

The study also shows that 4.5% of girls engaged in sexual activity before turning 15, compared to 10.1% of boys. Some of these young individuals had children before reaching the age of 15.

Provisions on surrogacy

The draft law also includes a provision allowing surrogacy for individuals aged between 21 and 50 who meet specific requirements.

If enacted, this service would only be available to married couples struggling with infertility.

The first surrogacy services provided in Rwanda cost approximately 3.5 million Rwandan francs . However, the cost is expected to decrease once it is integrated into health insurance services.

According to the law, the legal mother of a child born through assisted reproductive technology is the one recognized in the formal agreement related to the procedure.

Surrogacy was first introduced in 1986 with the birth of the first baby conceived through this method. Since then, it has gained popularity, particularly in developed countries.

For example, in the United States, approximately 750 babies are born annually through surrogacy.

What could have been a life-saving intervention becomes a missed opportunity, leading to severe disabilities or even death.

Data from top global medical centers reveals that only one in three stroke patients manages to reach the hospital within the critical three-hour window, where treatment is most effective.

Brain fights survival instincts

The human brain, a marvel of survival instincts, paradoxically works against the human body when it comes to strokes.

When faced with sudden and alarming symptoms, many individuals enter a state of cognitive dissonance. Instead of seeking help, their minds instinctively search for less frightening explanations for what’s happening.

This psychological response, designed to ease anxiety, becomes dangerous when it delays life-saving action. The brain’s natural desire to avoid acknowledging a threat and to maintain normalcy only increases the risk of a stroke going undiagnosed until it’s too late.

The deadly spiral of symptom dismissal

When a stroke strikes, people often fall into a pattern of dismissal. It starts with recognizing unusual sensations or difficulties, but those signs are quickly rationalized.

A sudden headache is shrugged off as a result of a busy day, arm weakness is explained away as sleeping awkwardly; slurred speech gets chalked up to exhaustion or dehydration.

Dr. Jenipher Niyonziza, a medical practitioner at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital in Musanze district, cautions that this pattern creates a dangerous delay.

“The mind’s powerful ability to normalize concerning symptoms often proves detrimental during medical emergencies. This delay can significantly impact survival and recovery chances,” she says.
The deceptive nature of stroke symptoms

Unlike the dramatic depictions in TV shows, real stroke symptoms are often subtle. This can lead to a dangerous disconnect between perception and reality.

A person may experience slight slurring of speech or minor coordination issues and mistake them for something trivial, like fatigue or stress.

The brain’s tendency to search for simpler explanations, coupled with the temporary nature of early symptoms, leads people to underestimate the danger. When the symptoms briefly subside, individuals often feel a sense of relief, unaware that the relief is only temporary.

Cultural barriers and their impact

Cultural beliefs can play a significant role in how people respond to stroke symptoms. In many communities, seeking immediate medical care is often viewed as an overreaction, adding social stigma to the already complex situation.

Dr. Niyonziza explains that traditional communities, which prioritize self-reliance and resilience, may lead individuals to avoid seeking professional care.

“Distrust of medical institutions in certain communities adds hesitation, while a preference for alternative medicine can lead people to try traditional remedies instead of seeking emergency care,” she says.

The gender factor in stroke response

Research highlights striking differences in how men and women respond to stroke symptoms. Women, especially those in caregiving roles, often place their family’s needs above their own, causing them to delay seeking medical attention for themselves.

This pressure to maintain stability at home, while noble, can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Social expectations and the fear of being perceived as overreacting or becoming a burden often prevent women from addressing symptoms until they become more severe.

Age-related misconceptions

A dangerous myth persists that strokes are a problem only for the elderly, leaving younger adults vulnerable to ignoring symptoms.

However, studies show that strokes are increasingly common among adults aged 25-45, especially as stress, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles take their toll.

“Younger individuals tend to think their age provides protection against serious health events like strokes. But this misconception is becoming more dangerous, especially as we see high blood pressure and other risk factors on the rise among younger populations,” says Dr. Niyonziza.

The socioeconomic barrier

Economic factors often play a major role in delaying stroke treatment. Many people, especially in areas with limited insurance coverage, fear the high costs of medical bills and delay seeking help.

In rural or underserved areas, transportation barriers further complicate the issue, making it difficult or even impossible to reach emergency care in time.

Additionally, many individuals are concerned about their jobs or the potential loss of wages if they seek immediate medical attention.

These financial pressures, combined with the critical need for fast intervention, create a perfect storm of hesitation at the worst possible time.

In a post on the social media platform X, Ghebreyesus stated that the funds would help strengthen Uganda’s response efforts, including surveillance, laboratory support, logistics, infection prevention, and treatment.

The WHO had previously provided $1 million on January 30 and mobilized trial vaccines to aid Uganda’s health authorities in containing the outbreak.

Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak last month following the death of a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of Wednesday, the country has recorded nine laboratory-confirmed cases, including one fatality, while at least 265 people who had contact with the first case are under monitoring.

Magoola is the Founder and Managing Director of Dei BioPharma, the pharmaceutical and biotech firm, currently developing a vaccines and drugs manufacturing plant in Mattuga, in the outskirts of near Kampala.

This invention utilizes a novel composition of guided RNA attached to the Cas9 protein. This complex targets and disrupts mutated genes responsible for cancer, preventing their repair and ultimately killing the cancerous cells.

While the foundational CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which allows for precise gene editing, earned Professors Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Magoola’s invention takes this technology a crucial step further.

Instead of allowing the cell to repair the disrupted gene, his method prevents this repair, leading to the targeted destruction of cancer cells.

Unlike existing FDA-approved gene editing products, Magoola’s invention is specifically designed to treat cancer by disrupting the mutated genes. Critically, it targets only cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

This specificity offers the potential to treat all types of cancer, regardless of stage, and eliminates the debilitating side effects associated with traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, antibody therapy, and radiation.

Following the patent publication, Magoola has been requested to submit an approval plan to the US FDA in March 2025, paving the way for clinical trials to begin before the end of 2025.

“All details of the manufacturing of this product have been completed and are ready to go for testing,” Magoola stated in an interview recently.

This ground-breaking treatment holds immense promise, and represents a USD 300 billion market. Its simplicity will make it accessible globally, including in developing countries, at a minimal cost.

This is particularly significant considering the projected global cancer burden of 35 million cases annually by 2030. Magoola emphasizes that this invention is a humanitarian contribution aimed at eradicating cancer worldwide.

This achievement follows another recent milestone for Magoola and Dei BioPharma. On January 7, 2025, the USPTO accepted their application for a patent on the world’s first universal vaccine against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Since February 1, the country has been seeing over 100 new cholera cases every day, with a high of 295 cases recorded on February 8.

However, the confirmation of cases through laboratory testing remains limited, with only around 20 samples being processed daily.

The outbreak, which started on January 7, has spread across several provinces, with Luanda and the neighboring Bengo province being the hardest hit.

To combat the outbreak, more than 925,000 people have been vaccinated, covering 86% of the targeted population, according to the Health Ministry’s epidemiological report on Monday.

The conference, scheduled to take place from February 19 to 28, is organized by the Rwanda Ministry of Health, Operation Smile, the University of Rwanda, and the Rwanda Surgical Society.

Pre-conference workshops will be held from February 19 to 23, with the main conference slated for February 24 to 28 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

Speaking at a pre-conference event in Kigali on Friday, February 7, Professor Faustin Ntirenganya, Chair of Surgery at the University of Rwanda and President of the Rwanda Surgical Society, said the conference provides stakeholders with a unique platform to address critical gaps in surgical care.

“This conference is a pivotal opportunity to bring together academicians, policymakers, and practitioners to analyze surgical gaps in Africa and establish a unified agenda for addressing them,” Prof. Ntirenganya told the media.

“We aim to learn from each other, share best practices, and exchange experiences. Rwanda can showcase its progress, while also learning from other countries to accelerate improvements,” he added.

Africa faces a dire shortage of surgical professionals. The continent currently has only 0.5 surgeons and 0.1 anaesthetists per 100,000 people—far below global recommendations.

According to Prof. Ntirenganya, Rwanda is also affected, with only three surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia providers per 100,000 people, while the recommended standard is 20.

Due to this shortage, the available surgeons can perform only a third of the required surgical volume, leaving many patients waiting longer for essential procedures.

Despite the challenges, Prof. Ntirenganya emphasized that Rwanda has made progress, including launching the first National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) in 2018. However, more investment in training and infrastructure is needed.

The upcoming conference’s goal is to expand Africa’s surgical workforce, ensuring that every district hospital has a qualified surgeon.

Rwanda currently has only 162 surgeons across all specialities, with just five plastic surgeons specializing in cleft surgery.

Organizations like Operation Smile are actively working to address this shortage by enhancing surgical training and infrastructure.

Andrew Karima, Country Manager for Operation Smile Rwanda, described their contributions, noting, “Every surgery we conduct is also a teaching opportunity. Through our hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding access to care while simultaneously strengthening the healthcare system. We have completed surgical projects in hospitals across Rwanda and are committed to ensuring that every patient, no matter where they are, can receive the care they need.”

Operation Smile provides approximately 180 free cleft surgeries annually in Rwanda and has played a critical role in repairing cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial differences in the country and around the world.

The global charity organization, founded in 1982, is also collaborating with the Ministry of Health to integrate critical care services into surgical programs, ensuring better post-operative care for patients.

“We have strengthened our partnership with the Ministry of Health. We are now incorporating critical care, aligning our services with High Dependency Units (HDU) and Intensive Care Units (ICU). This ensures that if surgery doesn’t go as expected, the patient receives appropriate post-operative care,” he disclosed.

Karima emphasized that their work extends beyond Rwanda, stating, “If our model has worked here, it can work in Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, and beyond.”

The inaugural Pan-African Surgical Conference, themed “Building Resilient and Sustainable Surgical Services in Africa”, will feature policy discussions, research presentations, and networking opportunities.

Experts from across the continent will share best practices and innovations aimed at closing the surgical care gap in resource-limited settings. Key objectives include reinforcing surgical training programs, expanding policy support for surgical workforce development, and strengthening regional surgical networks.

With participation from global surgery policy experts, medical professionals, government officials, and advocacy groups, the conference is expected to yield actionable recommendations that will shape the future of surgical care in Africa, with Rwanda playing a central role.

Pharco Pharmaceuticals, founded in 1983 by Dr. Hassan Abbas Helmy, is one of Egypt’s major pharmaceutical firms. It produces a wide range of medications under the Pharco brand and distributes them in over 50 countries.

In 2019 alone, the company sold 750 million medicine packages globally. Some of its key products include Acne Zinc for skin treatment, Alambuphine for fever relief, and Alfatral, used in the treatment of urinary tract infections.

On Thursday, President Paul Kagame met with a delegation from Pharco Pharmaceuticals, led by its CEO, Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy. The discussions were also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.

According to Village Urugwiro, the meeting focused on identifying areas of collaboration between Rwanda and the pharmaceutical firm, particularly in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Before meeting President Kagame, Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy and his delegation also held discussions with Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Following the meeting, RDB stated, “The discussions explored opportunities to expand access to essential medicines, conduct clinical trials, and establish local pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

Rwanda has been making significant investments in its healthcare sector, aiming to improve medical services and modernize healthcare infrastructure. These efforts seek to reduce the number of Rwandans seeking medical treatment abroad while attracting international patients to the country’s healthcare facilities.

If the pharmaceutical factory project is launched, it will complement Rwanda’s ongoing initiative to establish a vaccine manufacturing plant in partnership with Germany’s BioNTech.

Additionally, in November, RDB signed an agreement with Bio Usawa Inc. to build a pharmaceutical plant specializing in the production of treatments for severe eye diseases, including those affecting diabetic patients.

“As a precautionary measure, surveillance systems have been enhanced in all counties and points of entry,” Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health Mary Muthoni said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Friday evening.

Muthoni said a rapid assessment of the country’s capacity to respond to a similar outbreak is underway, shortly after which a comprehensive plan will be developed to guide countrywide preparedness and response to Ebola.

She encouraged the public to seek accurate information from qualified healthcare workers, community health promoters or the Ministry of Health through its website.

The statement came after the Ugandan Ministry of Health on Thursday declared an Ebola outbreak after a 32-year-old male nurse succumbed to Sudan Ebola virus Wednesday, marking the eighth outbreak of the deadly disease in the East African country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is “working closely with Ugandan health authorities to revitalize a robust surveillance and case management system, community mobilization, and risk communication in response to the outbreak.”

The Ebola virus is highly contagious and causes various symptoms. Signs and symptoms of Ebola are characterized by fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting and body malaise.

According to the WHO, the fatality rate for those who contract Ebola ranges from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on the viral subtypes.