This state-of-the-art technology will significantly boost Rwanda's capacity to diagnose and manage complex diseases.
Unlike traditional imaging tools, the PET scan works by injecting patients with small amounts of radioactive substances, which travel to areas of abnormal activity in the body.
This allows doctors to detect conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders at earlier and more treatable stages.
Speaking to the Parliament's National Budget and Property Standing Committee, Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that all necessary preparations for the PET scan's arrival have been completed.
"We are progressing with the acquisition of a PET scan machine, which is not yet available in Rwanda. We're confident that by the end of this year, it will be here," he stated.
To enhance healthcare service delivery, the government has already provided modern diagnostic equipment to various hospitals, including CT scans and MRI machines.
'New CT scan machines have been delivered to hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, CHUK, Kanombe Military Hospital, and CHUB, which have already begun installation and use. As for MRI machines, three will be available within the next two weeks,' the minister added.
He also mentioned that advanced medical equipment will soon be installed in provincial hospitals like Kabgayi, Kibungo, and Kibuye, helping to reduce the number of patients referred to Kigali for specialised treatment.
He confirmed that the PET scan acquisition is underway and expressed optimism that it will be in place before 2025 ends.
Nuclear medicine, the field under which PET scans fall, remains limited in many countries due to the high costs associated with the equipment.
The two primary types of nuclear imaging machines are Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), with Rwanda choosing the latter for its higher precision and diagnostic value.
The PET scan's precision is particularly vital in treatment planning for complex cases like brain cancer, where accuracy is crucial to avoid damaging critical areas of the brain.
Currently, Rwanda's health facilities are equipped with various imaging technologies, including X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and high-performance systems such as the Multix Impact E and Somatom go, many of which were unavailable just a few years ago.
To support these advancements, the Ministry of Health has allocated RWF 16.5 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year specifically for the procurement of advanced medical equipment.
In total, the Ministry and its affiliated institutions have been granted a budget of RWF 333.5 billion, up from RWF 330.2 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-to-launch-nuclear-medicine-services
