SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA —At least 31 residents in Muhanga District have received free surgical operations conducted by Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) doctors at Kabgayi Hospital.

The operations started last week and other 71 people have received surgical consultations from the doctors as part of activities to mark the ongoing Army Week. 

 "We have received many cases of Trauma-orthopaedics, general surgery and various chronic diseases. The operations have been successful and we encourage more residents to seek the services,” Cap Dr. King Kayondo said last week.

Urging residents to always seek timely medication, Kayondo noted that some of the cases being received needed immediate attention because the patients had delayed to seek medical attention.

Talking to The New Times, Kabgayi Hospital officials said the army doctors have boosted their morale and increased the number of patients being attended to.

"We used to handle ten cases per day, but the army doctors have filled the manpower gap and we have increased to more than 20 patients per day,” Dr. François Muratannkwaya said.

Other medics and patients told this reporter that they were privileged to have the hand of the army because manpower has always been a big challenge.

"I had a broken shoulder, and couldn’t afford treatment lately. When I heard of the Army Week, I decided to use the opportunity and now I am feeling much better after taking medication and physical drills,” JMV Rwakazina said.

The army is expected to continue with a number of humanitarian activities for fourteen days and more doctors are expected to carry out ophthalmological (blind cases) operations this week.

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