This modern Believers International Hospital and Research Center in Rwanda is expected to reduce the number of Rwandans seeking medical specialists abroad for complex illnesses.
Once completed, the facility owned by the Indian based church, will attract specialists in various medical fields, including cardiology, which will help reduce the number of people traveling overseas for treatment and contribute to the growth of medical tourism in Rwanda, positioning the country as a hub for advanced healthcare.
The construction of this hospital began on October 1, 2023, in Kicukiro District, Kanombe sector, near Busanza. It will also include a university dedicated to training medical professionals, aiming to assist Rwanda in becoming a hub for cutting-edge medical care.
The hospital will feature 300 patient beds, with specialized doctors from different countries, as well as a university and research center that will contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Africa. Once the building is completed, plans will follow to construct accommodation for the doctors and university buildings to support the education of Rwandans.
With construction progressing as expected, the facility is set to be completed by 2026.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Simon, a representative of the church, shared that this is the second hospital built by the organization, and the decision to construct it in Rwanda was influenced by the country's good governance.
"The former Rwandan Ambassador to India visited our hospital, saw the equipment and services we offer, and asked our church leaders if we could bring such infrastructure to Rwanda. We initially hesitated to bring such a project to Africa," said Simon. "When we arrived in Rwanda, our mindset quickly changed. Rwanda is unique, it's a peaceful, clean country with exceptional leadership under President Kagame. After seeing all this, we realized there was no better place to build the hospital than here."
Rwanda is among African countries with patients seeking treatment in India for complex medical conditions.
Nshimiyimana Costica, overseeing construction activities emphasized that the hospital is being constructed with high-quality materials, including steel and durable bricks, making it resilient to earthquakes in the region.
"I would say we are about 65-70% finished with the construction. We base this estimate on the work already completed, and the remaining 30% will be completed soon."
The hospital is being built with locally sourced materials, such as sand, cement from Cimerwa, bricks from Sunshine Rwanda Ltd, and Rutare Bricks and Ceramics, ensuring that 90% of the materials are sourced from Rwanda.
This state-of-the-art hospital to be completed at a cost of Frw77 billion, is expected to benefit both Rwandans and the world at large in terms of healthcare, research, and education. Since the project's inception, more than 700 Rwandans have been employed.
"The project benefits the Rwandan population as the primary stakeholders," said Nshimiyimana.
When completed, the hospital will be equipped with advanced medical technology, including cardiology treatments, a Cath Lab for heart disease treatments, two MRI machines, four X-ray machines, mammography for breast disease diagnosis, and more than eight operating theaters, allowing up to eight people to undergo surgery at the same time.
The hospital will be of international standards, capable of hosting heads of state and dignitaries who may seek medical services while visiting Rwanda.
All specialized doctors will be from abroad, including India, the United States, and other countries, while nurses and other staff will come from Rwanda.
Additionally, the church plans to engage with the Rwandan government to ensure that people covered by all insurance schemes in the country, including Mutuelle de Santé, will be able to access treatment at this hospital.
IGIHE
