There is need to focus on the development of tertiary healthcare system in the country as this will facilitate development of quality health services.

The call was made by the State Minister for Health, Patrick Ndimubanzi, during the opening of the first African International Medical and Healthcare Forum that brought together members of the Shanghai Medical Instruments Trade Association (SMITA) and Rwandan healthcare policymakers, experts and practitioners, on Friday.

The two-day forum, held under the theme, "Better Health, Realised Dreams”, aimed at providing a platform for Rwanda to pitch its health sector investment opportunities to the Chinese private sector and to find ways of enhancing health care standards in Rwanda by working closely with colleagues in SMITA.

Ndimubanzi stated that for the last two decades, Rwanda has been primarily focused on the development of the public health system and primary and secondary system; however, now the focus ought to be the tertiary system.

Tertiary care is specialised consultative healthcare, usually for inpatients and on referral from primary or secondary health professionals, in a facility that has personnel and facilities for advanced medical investigation and treatment, such as a tertiary referral hospital.

"We are looking at key priorities, and the first one is to be able to provide advanced quality care and treatment to the people of Rwanda. We are looking at having modern equipment which will facilitate good quality treatment. We are also eager to have skilled personnel with the right equipment to handle complex diseases,” the state minister said.

Claire Akamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board, said that putting focus on the medical and health sector is very important because, for Rwanda, the health of its citizens comes first.

She said Rwanda had taken huge strides in terms of health care development; however, for it to further improve it has to partner with others and that this initiative came at the right time.

"This is quite fundamental for our country, especially coming at a time when the country is focused on enhancing the health sector and transforming into a regional medical hub,” she said.

She pointed out that when one looks at the issue of resolving the access to health care they must resolve the lack of facilities which, for instance, leads to people seeking medical care abroad.

Charles Ownn, the Vice Chairman of Shanghai Medical Instrument Trade Association, said that their team is more than honoured to have the opportunity to work together with Rwanda.

"We thank RDB for the opportunity to invest and we look forward to a lot of good initiatives, we hope that, at the end, it will lead to good economic growth,” Ownn said.