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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Rwanda is set to introduce specialized training in cancer surgery as part of efforts to address the persistent shortage of foreign specialists, who currently visit the country only a few times a year. The new program will focus on cancers affecting the urinary system, with prostate cancer, which predominantly affects men, being a top priority.
The development was announced during a meeting of the Rwanda Urology Association (RUA).
The association’s leadership noted that although Rwanda has made significant progress in cancer care, the number of specialized doctors remains far below what is needed compared to the growing number of patients.
At present, the country has only 15 specialists in urology, including those who treat urological cancers. As a result, Rwanda still relies heavily on foreign doctors for certain complex procedures.
When it comes specifically to surgery for cancers of the urinary system, only one Rwandan doctor currently has the required expertise. Most such operations are therefore performed by visiting foreign specialists, who come infrequently.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Edmond Nkubiri said he recently returned from Egypt, where he undertook advanced training in this field. However, he emphasized that one specialist is not enough, which is why RUA, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University of Rwanda, plans to launch a formal training program to prepare more Rwandan doctors.
“We are working together with these institutions to design a structured training program in urological surgery so that doctors can be trained here and treat patients here,” he said.
Dr. Nkubiri added that experienced international specialists will be involved in teaching the courses, while the University of Rwanda is currently finalizing the academic framework for the program.
The training is expected to begin in September this year at the University of Rwanda. It will be offered to doctors who already specialize in related medical fields and will serve as a sub-specialization.
The program will run for 24 months and will initially admit a small number of trainees, with enrollment gradually increasing over time.
Currently, Rwanda already offers specialized training in cancer surgery for conditions such as colorectal and breast cancer. However, patients with urological cancers who required surgery often had to wait for visiting foreign doctors.
“We used to gather patients and wait for specialists from the United States, who only came once or twice a year,” Dr. Nkubiri explained. “Even then, they could not operate on all patients. Yet cancer is a disease that requires early intervention if patients are to recover.”
He further revealed that the first locally trained specialists in urological cancer surgery are expected to be available within the next three years. They will initially be deployed in four hospitals that provide cancer treatment, and their tuition fees will be covered.
Jacques Mbarirende, who was treated for prostate cancer in 2017 and successfully recovered, said that early diagnosis and timely surgery saved his life at the age of 59. He urged men aged 40 and above to seek regular screening so they can understand their health status before it is too late.
