University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) has acquired advanced endoscopy technology that combines both endoscopy and ultrasound, making it possible to not only evaluate gastrointestinal pathologies but also perform less invasive biopsies at the same time. According to officials, Rwanda is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa to acquire such technology. ALSO READ: How Rwanda can become a medical tourist destination Known as echo-endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), it is used to obtain detailed images and information about the digestive tract and surrounding tissues and organs, thus facilitating easier diagnosis of conditions including pancreatic cancer, bile duct stones, and so on. Dr Martin Nyundo, the director of clinical services at CHUK, described it as a very good diagnostic equipment that eases diagnosis, saves time, and makes the treatment process faster. “It is a high-fidelity technique because you can easily see the images of the pathology you want to detect, and then take a biopsy immediately. This is different from a normal endoscopy where you just see the problem, suspect something, and send the patient to the MRI scan and afterwards to the surgeon to do a biopsy,” he noted. “If we have this equipment, it will assist us shorten the diagnostic process by taking the biopsy quickly and treat the patient faster,” he added. The echo-endoscopy technology is also praised for offering superior image resolution compared to Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans. It can perform Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for biopsy, enabling precise diagnosis and staging of cancers, yet it does this in a less invasive way with a lower risk of complications compared to surgical biopsy. FNA is a procedure healthcare providers use to get a cell sample from a suspicious lump or an abnormal area of your body. It's also called a fine-needle biopsy. FNA involves using a thin needle and a syringe to pull out cells, tissue and fluids. Besides achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage for all citizens, Rwanda has an ambitious target of becoming a medical tourism hub where people from various parts of the continent and the world can access advanced healthcare services and training. In line with this, the country is undertaking several efforts to develop its healthcare human resources, as well as establishing more infrastructure and bringing in the required equipment to facilitate training of the medics and treatment of the patients. Among various efforts, in 2020, the government established the Human Resource for Health (HRH) Secretariat, an institution whose mission is to build health education infrastructure and capacity of the health workforce necessary for creating a high-quality and sustainable healthcare system. In addition, there are various infrastructures that are being put in place including the new CHUK site in Masaka, Kicukiro District which began in January, 2023 and is progressing. ALSO READ: Explainer: How Rwanda’s next-gen surgery works It is anticipated that construction will be completed in 2025. On completion, the new CHUK hospital will have 837 beds and a capacity of receiving 2,000 patients per day, making it the largest hospital in Rwanda. Private infrastructures are also coming up. These include the Rwanda Heart Care and Research Foundation which will be the first non-governmental organisation hospital offering cardiovascular healthcare services free of charge to the people of Rwanda and its region. Additionally, King Faisal Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Rwanda is set to undergo a major expansion project, increasing its bed capacity from 167 to almost 600, as well as getting “luxurious architecture and ergonomic design reminiscent of a five-star hotel,” according to its constructors.
