France, Rwanda sign medical pact

Rwanda and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which Rwandan students will stand a chance to secure French scholarships in specialized medical courses in the European nation.The deal was signed on Monday by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, and the First Counsellor, Co-operation, Cultural and Development Affairs, at the French Embassy in Kigali, Chantal Bes.It also paves way for Rwandan medical students and practitioners to obtain internship opportunities in France, while French medical specialists would also travel to Rwanda to train students.France would also assist local medical training institutions to elaborate their academic curricula.Binagwaho noted that the agreement will cover a few medical fields identified as top priority. “They include intensive care and re-animation, emergency care, anesthesiology, cancerology, oncology and plastic surgery. This initiative will help equip Rwandan medics with better skills which are critical to quality service delivery,” she explained. The priority areas were determined during bilateral meetings between November 2011 and February 2012.Officials at the ministry also noted that the agreement provides a general framework through which institutions from both countries can develop mutual partnerships.

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France, Rwanda sign medical pact