KIGALI - The Kigali Central University Teaching hospital (CHUK) and Muhima hospital on Wednesday acquired state-of-the-art equipment from the President of the General Electronic Company (GE), Bob Corcoran.

Speaking at the official ceremony, the Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera noted that the equipment was given to the two hospitals to boost healthcare services to children and their mothers.

"I would like to thank GE for a fruitful partnership. This equipment will go to the Intensive Care Units (ICU) of each of the two hospitals and we believe that this will significantly improve neo-natal services,” the Minister said.

"Initially most illnesses of children and mothers were either referred to King Faisal Hospital or abroad but with this equipment in place at these two facilities, the cases will be handled here.”

Referring to the equipment Sezibera recognized the importance of public-private partnerships and called upon Rwandans to also invest in health and be part of the process that aims at boosting healthcare services.

Corcoran, who donated the equipment worth over $400,000, also said that he is very happy to offer such equipment that will improve the lives of Rwandans adding that his intention is to supply them to 11 health facilities across the nation.

"We run these health development programmes in 13 countries, and of all these, I love Rwanda the most simply because efforts to improve the livelihood of citizens here are commendable,” he said.

"I know for sure that this is a country that I will visit later and find this equipment still serving its purpose unlike in other nations where such equipment can be later taken to private hospitals or secured to be used by top government officials.”

The GE official pledged that within five years, all the 11 identified health facilities will have received the equipment. They include ventilators, incubators for premature babies, operating tables, monitors and respirators, among others.

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