The government's decision to implement this change aims to reduce the high costs previously incurred by sending patients abroad for treatment. Instead, the focus has shifted to establishing these medical services locally.
This initiative has been achieved by bringing in experts from abroad to treat patients in Rwanda and to train Rwandan doctors, enabling them to perform these procedures independently in the future.
Figures from the Ministry of Health show that in 2018, the government provided financial support amounting to $402,900 for those seeking kidney transplants abroad.
In 2019, the amount was $278,900. The expenditure increased to $681,900 in 2020, $1,363,800 in 2021, and $2,727,800 in 2022. However, there has been no financial support allocated for such treatments abroad in 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Menelas Nkeshimana, the Head of the Department of Health Workforce Development at the Ministry of Health, told IGIHE that in addition to kidney diseases, Rwanda now offers treatment for cancer and heart diseases, reducing the need for patients to seek these treatments abroad.
"There are treatments and surgeries for heart conditions in both children and adults performed in Rwanda, aswell as cancer treatments. Currently, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, hormonal diseases, prenatal conditions, and women's health issues are also treated in Rwanda," he said.
Dr. Nkeshimana emphasized that these diseases are treated in Rwanda by both local and international specialists, who also train students for three to four years. The goal is that in the near future, Rwandan doctors will handle these treatments independently.
"There are also 15 new courses starting in September, including training for respiratory and critical care," he added.
Dr. Nkeshimana affirmed that the country's strategy is to eliminate the need for Rwandans to seek treatment abroad by building local capacity, which has significantly reduced the number of patients traveling abroad for medical care.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/health/article/rwanda-no-longer-funding-kidney-treatments-abroad-moh
