KANOMBE- In its quest to become a national referral hospital, Kanombe Military Hospital will soon start offering plastic surgery services.

The Plastic Surgery Unit will operate patients suffering from cleft lips and other deformities.

In an interview with The New Times yesterday, the director of the hospital, Dr. Ben Karenzi, said that there is an experienced doctor available to handle all plastic surgery matters.

"We have a Rwandan doctor who has been studying and training for the last 10 years to perfect his specialty in plastic surgery. He will conduct all forms of plastic surgery including cosmetic surgery,” Karenzi said.

He stated that the military hospital will be the first Rwandan hospital to have a specialist in plastic surgery as well as carry out plastic surgery.

"Before the end of the Army Week, we plan to perform surgery to some of the people who have cleft lips. We shall also be carrying out cataract surgery,” Dr. Karenzi added.

The Clinical Director of the hospital, Lt. Col. J P Bitega, said that with the introduction of the unit, paralyzed patients stand to benefit.

"In every hospital, you will find at least three or more patients that are paralysed. Usually, they get wounds because of being bedridden for long. In such cases, they need plastic surgery which most of the time is done by expatriates,” Bitega said.

He further stated that the hospital would also start a cancer treatment facility.

"We shall be offering radiotherapy cancer treatment which Rwandan patients have been getting from outside. We are also getting an oncologist and a whole unit responsible for cancer patients,” Bitega added.

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