KIGALI - The Nigerian government through its health technical support progamme, Technical Aid Corps (TAC) will send to Rwanda 63 medical experts to work as volunteers in Rwanda.

The first batch of 32 medical experts was received yesterday by officials from the ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs.

The Nurses and Doctors are part of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC), a volunteering programme set up by the Nigerian government in 1987.

The last batch of 31 medics is expected in country in January and the group hopes to windup its tour of duty in 2011.

Speaking during the occasion to receive them, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Rwanda with residence in Kampala, Fidelis Ayogu underscored his country’s commitment to assist fellow African nations.

"We are now saying that the best thing for us is to go Africa, professionals are scarce in all countries, even in the US. We don’t have them in abundance but we have to sacrifice. They will be here for two years and, it’s a government to government affair,” Ayogu said.

While welcoming the group to Rwanda, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, noted that the earlier group of medical volunteers from Nigeria had been exemplary, and guaranteed them utmost hospitality.

"Let me assure you Mr. High Commissioner that they were perfect ambassadors, not only perfect ambassadors for Nigeria but perfect ambassadors for Africa, and perfect ambassadors for the health sector,” Binagwaho said.
Nigerian Nurses and Doctors first started volunteering in Rwanda, in 2000.

Binagwaho said that this year, government wants the team to focus on the education sector, especially training Rwandan nurses.

Funded by the Nigerian government, TAC currently operates in 20 African and Caribbean Pacific countries.

Ends