The Rwanda National Police (RNP), National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) and Rwanda Medical and Dental Council (RMDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise their cooperation in various fields of investigations to ensure fair justice.

The agreement was signed, yesterday, at Police headquarters in Kacyiru between the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, Prosecutor-General Richard Muhumuza and Prof. Emile Rwamasirabo, the chairperson of RMDC.

The partnership, which underscores the core values of high standards of professionalism, integrity, impartiality and accountability, will see the three entities share the responsibility to guard and protect the population’s safety.

The agreement also highlights timely exchange of information and sharing expertise and experience in the development of investigative methodologies related to medical malpractice.

IGP Gasana described the deal as a "significant step” toward strengthening the justice sector by putting varied expertise together to ensure reliability and effectiveness in investigations.

"Our role as police is to fight, prevent and investigate crimes with the ultimate goal of guarding and protecting the people, which is also the responsibility of prosecution and medical practitioners,” he said.

Gasana said investigations require skills and knowledge in all spheres, which the three organs have separately and willing to share with each other.

He pledged RNP commitment to ensure that the agreement becomes one of the pillars of justice in Rwanda.

Muhumuza said the partnership will facilitate information flow and evidence-based judicial proceedings.

"The agreement provides an effective framework for the three institutions to share valid, relevant and credible information in a timely manner that will subsequently facilitate investigation and successful prosecution,” Muhumuza said.

Prof. Rwamasirabo emphasised that the "agreement sets up a platform that allows the three institutions to work together in a transparent manner to ensure that protection of public safety is maintained.”

"Medical practice is delicate and it’s quite frequent that patients complain of malpractices, and investigations in such malpractices require skills within the profession to understand what the issues are, and skills within the investigating agencies to underpin what happened,” he said.

"We need all these skills combined to understand better how the patient can be protected and at the same time make sure that the professionals are not unfairly treated as well. This is an important agreement and we hope other councils such as for nursing and midwives, Allied Professionals, and pharmacy will also come on board to strengthen its purpose.”

Under the agreement, medical malpractice or negligence can be failure or deviation from medical professional duty of care, including failure to exercise an accepted standard of care in medical professional skills, knowledge and attitude resulting in injury, damage or loss.

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