APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Rwanda and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on Monday signed a €75 million loan for the modernisation of Ruhengeri Level Two Teaching Hospital, and a €16 million loan to support infrastructure development in 16 rural districts.
The signing was witnessed by Richard Tusabe, Minister of State for National Treasury, and Arthur Germond, AFD country Director in Rwanda.
Located in Musanze District (North), Ruhengeri Hospital serves as the reference medical facility for six surrounding districts, anticipating a population growth of 2.1 to 3 million by 2040. Built in 1939, the hospital has reached its maximum capacity.
Official projections indicate that the modernisation initiative will double the hospital’s capacity, expanding from 320 to 550 beds, establish new diagnostic departments (electrocardiogram, MRI, CT Scan), intensive care units, and elevate the hospital to international standards.
Sources said that the project will be financed with a loan of 75 million Euros and a contribution from the Government of Rwanda of 15 million euros.
It said that AFD will also provide a grant of 4 million euros, managed by Expertise France, AFD’s technical cooperation agency, to provide capacity building and trainings for the medical staff, particularly in maternal, gynecological and child health, acute medicine and infectiology, in line with government priorities.
While Rwanda has made significant progress in local economic development and governance, many remote districts continue to face funding shortfalls, hindering access to public services for the most vulnerable populations.
Commenting on the move, the Rwandan government representative at the occasion noted that the population growth, epidemiological transition, introduction of universal health coverage and the surrounding tourism context no longer allows Ruhengeri referral Hospital to meet all the population’s needs.
“Upgrading the hospital aligns with Rwanda’s strategic health plan including provision of quality health care to Rwandans and transforming Rwanda into a destination hub for medical tourism,” Tusabe said.
Arthur Germond, AFD Director in Rwanda said that the signing of the two agreements will play a crucial role in upholding France’s commitment of 500 million euros in cooperation with the East African nation.
In a promising step, the first cardiologists training kicked off in Kigali in October 2023, and more practitioners will be trained in Ruhengeri by year’s end.
“In a promising step, the first cardiologists training kicked off in Kigali in October 2023, and more practitioners will be trained in Ruhengeri by year’s end,” he said.
CU/as/APA