Rwanda gets first MRI

KIGALI - The first ever Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI) was, yesterday, unveiled at the King Faisal Hospital, Kigali (KFH,K).

Friday, November 19, 2010
One of the German doctors (r) who is in the country to train Rwanda radiologists in the use of the MRI explains to Dr Sezibera about the newly acquired equipment (Courtesy photo)

KIGALI - The first ever Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI) was, yesterday, unveiled at the King Faisal Hospital, Kigali (KFH,K).

An MRI is used in the Radiology Department to provide much greater contrast between the various soft tissues of the body that the Computed Tomography (CT) scan does, making it especially useful in neurology/ neurosurgical (brain), musculoskeletal, abdominal, cardiovascular and oncology/ cancer imaging.

Today, we are celebrating not only the MRI machine, but also a great achievement in the quest for excellence our hospital has been working hard for in order to offer excellent healthcare services to our patients,” Dr Juliet. Mabazi, KFH,K’s acting CEO said.

"This is a good opportunity to express our gratitude to the Government of Rwanda which has chosen to equip our hospital with an MRI machine worth $ 3 Million,”she added.

The government, in the implementation of the National health vision, has invested in equipping King Faisal Hospital, Kigali with high technology machines, including the MRI, and in training KFH,K staff to offer the MRI services in Rwanda.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera, who officiated at the launch, expressed his satisfaction in relation to the current improvement of KFH,K regarding provision of healthcare services.

"We are proud to acknowledge continuous improvement with this hospital, progressively achieving its mission of being a centre of excellence in healthcare provision and education in Africa,” he said.     

The Minister promised further government support and urged all Rwandans and foreigners to trust King Faisal Hospital, Kigali.

The event was attended by Burundi’s Ambassador to Rwanda, the "Charge d’Affaires” of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, heads of Hospitals, representatives of Embassies, among others. 

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