Medics have been urged to improve their profession by prioritising the common good of the medical practice.

The call was made by the Minister for Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho during the election of the National Council of the Rwanda Medical and Dental Association.

Minister Binagwaho told the medics to positively brand their profession, despite the shortage of doctors and teachers’ in the country.

"We need to consider how we want the population to perceive us. We have to prove that we are the right people at the right place, with the right knowledge, right ethics and the right morale,” she said.

Binagwaho asked medics to be humble in order to deliver correctly.

"The improvement of our profession is a continuous process. Gone are the days a doctor did and knew everything. A good doctor has to learn every day since science is an evolution,” she added.

The elected national board that will serve a four-year term is composed of Dr Emmanuel Rudakemwa, the chairman, Dr Jean Claude Byiringiro, the vice chairperson, Dr Albert Nzayisenga, the secretary as well as Dr Kaitesi Mukara Batamuriza, the treasurer.

The national board also includes representatives of the public medical and dental schools, dental and private practitioners among others.

The voters were twenty nine provincial representatives. Prof. Emille Rwamasirabo, the outgoing chairman of the council was pleased by the progress made during his tenure and advised the new committee to work hard to impact Rwanda’s medical future.

"Many professional malpractices were solved, but we still need to work on the improvement of uncaring doctors and increase the training,” he said.

Dr Rudakemwa, a radiologist, newly elected chairman of the council said the new committee will work hard for quality improvement in medical practices.

"With the partnership and cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the outgoing committee, we hope to take this institution to greater heights,” he said.

Established in 2003, Rwanda Medical and Dental Council is responsible for the regulation of medical and dental practice in Rwanda.

It is in charge of registering and licensing all medical and dental practitioners.

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