Rwandan and Egyptian officials on Monday, August 12, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the supply of medical equipment and devices for the MY Rwanda-Egypt Heart Care Centre, a state-of-the-art facility under construction in Kigali’s burgeoning medical hub in Masaka, Kicukiro District.
The $20 million heart care facility, whose construction began in 2021, is expected to be completed in 2025. Once complete, the centre will be the first of its kind in Central Africa, according to officials.
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The agreement signed by Rwandan Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) and the Egyptian Medicines Authority (EDA) "represents a major step forward” in the countries’ collaboration in the hearth sector, said Rwanda’s Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana who was joined by Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Badr Abdelaaty in a tour around the centre’s construction site.
"It focuses on ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products registered in both countries – crucial aspects of maintaining high standards of care at the new heart centre,” Dr Nsanzimana said.
Dr Nsanzimana said the facility, which will offer advanced cardiac procedures, such as complex open-heart surgeries and cardiac catheterizations to patients from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, will play a critical role in addressing the region’s growing cardiovascular disease burden.
He noted that the heart centre’s mission goes beyond providing immediate healthcare services to include education, training, and research.
"This comprehensive approach aims to build local expertise, reduce reliance on foreign specialists, and enhance Rwanda’s capacity to manage complex cardiac conditions independently,” said the minister.
This initiative is vital, given the high prevalence of congenital and acquired heart disease in the region, especially among children and young adults, he said.
He added that Monday’s agreement aligns with Rwanda’s ambitious 4x4 strategy, which aims to quadruple the country’s healthcare workforce within four years.
To achieve this goal, Rwanda looks forward to learn from Egypt’s established healthcare system and expertise, Dr Nsanzimana noted.
The Rwanda-Egypt partnership on the heart centre began in 2018 facilitated by renowned Egyptian Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery Sir Magdi Yacoub, a global figure in heart care.
The centre has got support from key stakeholders, including Life Care Technology from the United Kingdom and Siemens from Germany, which have been contracted to supply the necessary medical equipment, according to the Egyptian foreign minister.
He described the collaboration as "a significant milestone” in the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Egypt.
"The MY Rwanda-Egypt Heart Care Centre is a testament to the shared vision of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Egyptian President Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi. Both leaders are committed to transforming Rwanda into a regional hub for health services by 2030,” Dr Abdelaaty said.
"The heart centre represents a crucial component of this vision, offering world-class medical services and cutting-edge technology to patients across Central and Eastern Africa.”
The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, under Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has contributed $3.3 million as a gift from to Rwanda, he said.
Beyond healthcare, Rwanda and Egypt are also deepening their cooperation in logistics and transport.
As part of this expanded partnership, Egypt has committed to establishing a logistics zone in Rwanda, with Rwanda receiving a mutual land plot in Egypt.
This initiative is expected to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries, further strengthening their economic ties.