Rwandans seeking laboratory services will no longer have to travel or send samples abroad for analysis, thanks to the new Lancet Laboratory that was launched at Kisementi in Remera on World Cancer Day last Thursday.

The modern laboratory, designed on international standards, can accommodate medical tests such as DNA paternity tests, hormonal tests and pathological tests.

The launch attracted professional doctors, nurses, hospital directors as well as cancer survivors in Rwanda.

While taking a tour around the different sections of the facility, Dr Innocent Gakwaya, the chairman board of governors of Rwanda Social Security Board, said laboratory investments are indispensable during the search for successful treatment hence the need for more similar investments in the country.

"No doctor can carry out treatment before establishing the cause. So if such services are available in the country, then we can be sure that health services will improve,” Dr Gakwaya said.

He added that most times the cost of laboratory work becomes unbearable to patients when it requires travelling abroad.

"It is high time people stopped going abroad for treatment, especially now that services can be afforded here at home,” he added.

Dr Jean-Claude Nyirinkwaya, the president of the Rwanda Health Care Federation, said that follow up on treatment requires huge investment in the laboratories.

"If we have our own specialised labs here in Rwanda, it means that we can easily follow up on infections,’’ he said.

Dr Ahmed Kalebi, the managing director of Lancet Laboratories, explained that some of the tests available are hard to access but with Rwanda becoming a hub for health tourism standard facilities are coming closer.

"Over 400 tests could be performed here but there is one important test – the chromosomal RNA test – which helps to determine whether subsequent miscarriages result from genetic abnormalities. Such tests are now only available in two laboratories around the world,” Kalebi said.

Dr Claude Muvunyi, a pathologist at the laboratory, pointed out that the viral infections are a challenge in Africa because of inadequate machinery and should be addressed with good laboratories.

"It is common for viral infections not to be treated simply because there is no machinery to provide precise findings. With this machinery we shall test many of these and record the data for future analysis,” Dr Muvunyi said.

Patients who graced the function hailed the establishment with optimism for better health services in the near future.

Jean Mwiririza, a patient at the facility, said that after learning about the laboratory, she is ready to take cancer tests.

"I saw a post on social media, so I rushed here to get screened for cancer and the general status of my health,” Mwiririza said.