Kizzye Bikiirye, 50, was born in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and has witnessed the many highs and lows that have shaped her country. One of the highs has been Chinese companies, through the Chinese government, continuing to expand and build new hospitals, helping the medical infrastructure to see big changes over the years.  

“A few years after the genocide of 1994, there were less than eight hospitals and they offered very few services in the face of high medical demand. Ruhengeri Referral Hospital was one of the few that had functioning facilities at the time,” recalled Bikiirye, a professional accountant. “I used to go for my treatment at this hospital. I was treated for pneumonia a few times and tuberculosis once. However, people were dying from curable diseases and conditions.”  

Today, she has a number of hospitals to choose from if she has health issues.   

“Nowadays, there are many government hospitals one can go to and the services are much better,” she said. 

Chinese doctors perform a surgery on a local patient at Kibungo Hospital, Eastern Province, Rwanda, on 22 September 2022 (XINHUA)

New hospitals  

According to Rwandan authorities, Ruhengeri Referral Hospital was renovated and expanded at a cost of $36.4 million in February 2020, with funds allocated by the Chinese government. Many of the old structures were completely rebuilt.  

Rwanda and China have signed various agreements over the years relating to healthcare facility development. This means that apart from upgrading the current existing hospitals, China will also build new ones. 

“We hope to introduce 624 new health posts [small dispensaries] or facilities by the end of 2026. This is doable and it can happen within a short time span. There are many communities, especially rural populations, that need urgent healthcare,” said Yolande Makolo, Rwanda government spokesperson during an interview. “The funds are from China with a small amount of local funds as well. The hospitals will also be well and fully equipped with the most up-to-date medical supplies and equipment.”  

According to Makolo, most of the population use the services of public hospitals as compared to a private facility.  

Medically, the country remains one of the most advanced on the continent, according to the World Health Organisation.  

Among new hospitals built is the Nyarugenge District Hospital. Construction began in 2018 and completion was made with funds from both the Chinese and Belgian governments. 

According to Makolo, Rwanda had 42 district hospitals, 1,700 health posts, and 500 health centres as of end of 2022.  In addition, the country has five referral hospitals.  

“As the population keeps growing, the need for more medical facilities becomes important as people always need medical care. Many of the hospitals that are currently undergoing renovations also have specialised units to treat different diseases and unique cases. Most hospitals have a cancer centre as cancer becomes a challenge in our health sector. Chinese funds in improving infrastructure in hospitals are helping a lot,” she said.  

She noted that the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda’s largest hospital, would undergo renovations starting 1 June 2023.  

“When completed, it will have the largest cancer centre in the country. It will also consist of the largest research centre of tropical and viral diseases, such as HIV,” said Makolo. The upgrades of the institution will cost about $150 million.  

The United Nations office in Rwanda estimates that the population density of Rwanda is 535.11 people per square km, an increase of 2.31 percent from 2022. The country is one of the most densely populated in the world.  

Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said the hospitals are very important for any community as the health needs of populations continue to increase and will be well served by new facilities with specialised units.  

“As we improve our health sector, we are concentrating on the most common problematic health diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis,” said Nsanzimana. 

These diseases will have their own special wards and facilities according to the minister.  

“For example, we are designing a special centre at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre to treat influenza. The flu is a public health threat in Rwanda. It represents 65 percent of all medical consultations in our government hospitals and facilities. Meningitis and dysentery are also a public health burden. We will [also] have special units for these ailments,” said Nsanzimana. 

Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente (second right) and Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun (left) at the work site of the Masaka District Hospital renovation and expansion project in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on 30 March (CHINESE EMBASSY IN RWANDA)

Healthcare in the spotlight 

Speaking at the ceremony marking renovation of the Masaka District Hospital in Kigali on 31 March, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun told the press that the project is one of the China-aided projects in Rwanda that leaders of both China and Rwanda have given great importance. The hospital, originally built by China in 2011, would now be renovated to become a modern facility with more than 837 beds, said Wang. The expansion and renovation project, which is set to be completed by July 2025, will include scaling up the hospital’s capacity to receive up to 2,000 patients per day, according to media report. 

“We have seen 22 medical teams and more than 270 Chinese doctors in Rwanda. They have contributed a lot to the health of Rwandan people,” Wang told Xinhua News Agency. China dispatched its first medical team to Rwanda in 1982. Wang said China is committed to working with Rwanda to promote the wellbeing of its people, adding that China will continue to support the development of Rwanda. 

Growth in the Rwandan health sector has been significant. Nsanzimana confirmed that his country spent almost 7 percent of its budget on health last year.  

“The health sector has been growing. We are also thankful for China for building and expanding hospitals, that has helped a lot. We hope to continue expanding hospitals throughout the next decade this way,” added Nzasimana.  

He said that Rwanda is in further discussions with China to double the number of referral hospitals (those that provide tertiary care) within a five-year span.  

Gisenyi District Hospital will also undergo a new facelift. The facility will have a new-born baby unit and completion is planned for early 2024. 

Now, because referral hospitals have the capacity to treat almost any disease, employing specialised doctors, Rwandans no longer need to leave the country for treatment. 

“Many years ago, people would go to Kenya, Europe and India for treatment. Nowadays, that is no longer the case as we have some of the best facilities in the region here in Rwanda,” said Nsanzimana.

According to the World Bank, Rwanda’s GDP stood at $11.7 billion last year. The economy grew by 7.9 percent and it is ranked as the 146th largest economy in the world.  

“Most Rwandans have health insurance. This is about 90 percent of the citizens. They realise the benefits,” added Nzasimana, adding that the possibility of putting the entire population in its health insurance programme is doable and very possible.  

The minister said that the government is seeking discussions with some established private hospitals for mergers, as this is another way of improving quality healthcare service. 

Reporting from Rwanda