As part of ongoing plans to rehabilitate dilapidated health infrastructure across the country, the Ministry of Health is designing a new master plan for Byumba Hospital to transform it into a modern health facility.

The quality of services offered at the hospital has deteriorated partly due to the aging infrastructure. The hospital was built in the early 1950s.

"The tendering process is almost complete and the construction phase will soon follow,” said Dr. Fred Muhairwe, Director of Byumba Hospital.

"We want to transform it into a hospital with modern equipment for control of infectious diseases with the capacity to provide quality healthcare which our population expects”.

The construction works will cost over Rwf 1 billion, according to Muhairwe.

He added that the hospital’s master plan would replicate the architectural design of Butaro Hospital in Burera District, which is now the standard set for any new hospitals to be constructed in future.

"The first phase of this rehabilitation plan will start with a modern maternity ward, an operating theatre and an emergency room. It will also be expanded in size to create more room for more departments,” he said.

The old water and electricity infrastructure will also be rehabilitated during the first phase.

According to the hospital management, construction works are expected to start in the first quarter of next year and last for a period of one year.

Byumba Hospital presently serves a population of over 370,000 people mainly from Gicumbi District and the neighbouring districts of Rulindo and Burera.

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