The Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Human Resource for Health Secretariat (HRHS), alongside the University of Rwanda (UR) has launched 13 new medical programs which are expected to boost the medical sector in Rwanda.

The programs include; Adult and Paediatric Cardiology, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, Gynaecology Oncology, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Maternal-foetal Medicine.

Others are Paediatric Surgery, Neurology, Plastic surgery, Dermatology, Master of Science in Clinical Anatomy, and Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Anatomy.

The First Lady Jeannette Kagame and Minister of Education Valentine Uwamariya and Minister for Health Dr Daniel Ngamije follow a presentation during the launch in Kigali on May 4. Willy Mucyo

Dr. Daniel Ngamije, the Minister of Health said that the launched programs will contribute to the National strategy of health professionals and have a target to train the next generation.

In addition, he pointed out that these programs’ implementation need a significant amount of resources mostly for attracting highly qualified faculty members and constructing appropriate infrastructure among others.

However, he revealed that the government is committed to allocating the required resources in close collaboration with the strategic partners involved in health workforce development.

According to the available capacity, the program allows two candidates but the number will keep on increasing and these programs will be taught for two to five years.

Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi, the executive secretary of HRHS speaks at during the official launch of  13 new medical programs which are expected to boost the medical sector in Rwanda on May 4. Willy Mucyo

Commenting on MoH support, he assured the collaboration of all teaching Hospitals and schools of medicine operating in Rwanda. The implementation of these training programs goes hand in hand with improved patient access to the university teaching hospitals.

Currently, Rwanda has four Teaching hospitals including CHUB, CHUK, Kanombe Military Hospital, and King Faisal Hospital.

Jean Claude Byiringiro, the Dean of the School of Medicine and pharmacy at UR, which will host those programs, took the audience through the overview process development of those programs.

He described this milestone as a dream that came true and shared his gratitude to all partners who contributed to it.

On the idea of developing such programs, he disclosed that they referred to the country’s vision and NST1 along with the mission of UR in supporting the development of Rwanda in various ways.

"This was our contribution to supporting short and long term development in the health sector,” he said, adding that "the specific goal of this program was to train the highest specialised doctors to decrease the gap in the medical workforce in the country’s health sector among others.”

Byiringiro mentioned that these programs will respond to the raised issues in the health sector, including non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and so forth.

He further disclosed that this was phase one, and revealed that they are working on nine more programs.

Speaking on the same occasion, Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi, the executive secretary of HRHS told the audience that this is a major step toward developing and sustaining the health care sector.

Ndimubanzi noted how this has come at such a crucial time considering the local demand for the number of qualified professional medical specialists, who are equipped with the right skills to respond to those needs, is still low.

However, he defined those programs as a solution to such issues.

Delegates who attended the official launch of 13 new medical programs which are expected to boost the medical sector in Rwanda.Willy Mucyo

 Ndimubanzi urged all related partners to join forces to do all possible outreach to attract the necessary resources that can create a health care system that is fitting to meet all the needs of the country.

In addition, he said that the teaching hospitals have an essential role to play in the outcome of those programs since they will be taught there.

"The success will require commitment and collaboration, cooperation of all the key stakeholders,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has also pledged to support them in the implementation of those programs.