A team of seven medical specialists from Egypt yesterday concluded their weeklong visit to Rwanda during which they performed 40 complicated surgeries for different ailments.

The tour, dubbed ‘Egyptian Medical Convoy’, is part of the cooperation agreement between Rwanda and Egypt and it is organised with partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).

The experts, who have been in the country since February 8, conducted surgeries on cases such as paediatrics, maxillofacial, laparoscopy, and urology, according to Dr Theobald Hategekimana, the Director General of CHUK.

"The experts were here to lend a hand to our own team to offer quality healthcare services. We believe this will equip our local surgeons with extra knowledge and experience,” Hategekimana said.

"The country lacks specialists in a number of areas in the medical field, especially in maxillofacial, laparoscopy, and urology,” he added.

Dr. Joel Bokoroti, the head of the delegation believes the team came at the right time.

He said there are many Rwandans who need such complicated procedures, calling for sustained effort to train more medical specialists to ensure the citizens are fully served.

Hategekimana thanked the Egyptians for their selfless service during the week they have been in the country.

On Thursday, the waiting room of the hospital based in downtown Kigali was full of people, with many struggling to make it to the list of beneficiaries.