Twenty doctors from China are in the country to offer medical services in various hospitals for the next two years.

The group is replacing another 15 doctors who have concluded the two years of offering health care at Kibungo, Masaka and Kinihira hospitals.

This was disclosed during celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of medical cooperation between China and Rwanda on Monday at the Chinese embassy in Kigali.

The latest group is the 16th team to operate in the country ever since the initiative started decades ago. 

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister for Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho commended the Chinese government for its continued support.

Spread across 

"This team will continue to serve Masaka and Kibungo hospitals, but they can also provide health services elsewhere,” Binagwaho said.

The minister noted that the cooperation among other initiatives has significantly contributed to the improvement in health service provision in the respective hospitals in particular and the health sector as a whole.

She also commended the outgoing team for their services, saying they had done a great job for the last two years. The incoming group comprises gynecologists, surgeons and a pediatrician among others.

Binagwaho said that there is great expectation from the new team.

The Chinese ambassador to Rwanda Shen Yong- Xiang reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work with Rwanda especially in contributing to quality health care provision.

"The cooperation we have will help us to work together and further strengthen our relations for the better; and by intervening in health sector, we actually want to give our services to the general population,” he said. At the occasion, Binagwaho also highlighted the various mechanisms the government is undertaking to further strengthen and develop the health sector. 

Among others, she said that plans are underway to have Masaka Hospital upgraded, to improve its capacity to provide health services to more patients. 

The first batch of doctors were centred at Kibungo Hospital until 2011 before extending their services to Masaka Hospital, whose construction was supported by China.

In the last 30 years, Chinese medical workers have treated over 650,000 patients and carried out over 25,000 operations.