In line with the Telemedicine Rwanda Project, the Central University Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health conducted a series of 10 Laparoscopic surgeries from May 26th to 31st and anyone around the world who could log onto the internet would not only follow the proceedings, but also directly interact with the surgery team using telephone or computers.

Laparoscopic surgery is a new, minimally invasive type of operation that allows for a marked improvement in patients' recovery rates and significantly reduces the occurrence of complications, the level of discomfort suffered and the amount of post-operative scarring.

“It is a real success medically, technically and humanly. It was interesting interacting with people during the operation and more doctors and nurses have been trained. This is the future and it has proved possible and feasible here,” said Prof. Michele Degueldre who headed the surgical team.

In a typical laparoscopic surgery, small surgical tools are introduced into the patient's abdomen via small incisions. The micro-tools are manipulated by the surgeon, who can see inside the patient via a small video camera connected to a monitor. The images are then uploaded onto the internet for the world to see.
Due to the fact that no large, traumatic incision is necessary, post-operative recovery is smoother than after a traditional operation, the patient's stay in hospital is reduced and incapacitation is shorter and minimized.

“All the patients who were operated did not face any major complications, were discharged the day after the operation and ready to return to work,” observed Dr Emmanuel Kayibanda, the director of CHUK.

The Telemedicine Rwanda Project aims at using the new Information Technologies to enhance through a participatory approach the training of medical doctors countrywide in a bid to advance the quality of health care provided to the Rwandan population in rural and urban settings.

Dr Emmanuel Gasakure, the coordinator of the Telemedicine Rwanda Project, noted that despite the high cost of the equipment and the project, it is worth it when compared to the expenses incurred when sending patients abroad.

The Telemedicine Rwanda project was made possible with the support of CHUK partners that include the Ministry of Health, the Belgian Technical Cooperation (CTB/BTC), the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Scientific Research, the National University of Rwanda, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Tulane University, Terracom and Contact FM Radio.

Priority to Maternal and Child Health

On May 12th, during the annual national celebrations to jointly mark the World Health day and the International Nurses day, The Minister of Health, Dr Jean Damascène Ntawukuliryayo officially launched a country wide campaign to freely give out Vitamin A and de-warming medication to mothers and their babies.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, out of every 1,000 children born 117 die before the age of one and 1071 mothers out of every 100,000 die during pregnancy or after giving birth, thus ranking Rwanda number 11 out of 192 countries with high child death rate.

“These statistics are bad for the health of Rwandans. We have to give opportunity to every mother and child, that is the only way to reduce on the death rate,” the Minister of Health argued.

The Minister highlighted family planning as a major practice that can reduce the death rate of mothers by 36% and also explained other advantages of child spacing.

He recognized the role played by the nurses and their contribution in the fight against counterfeit drugs and substandard medication. “I acknowledge the work you do of treating and giving hope and trust to those who visit our hospitals and health centers,” the Minister of Health acknowledged.

As an incentive, the Minister also rewarded outstanding institutions and associations countrywide that excelled in the fields of vaccination, family planning, health insurance subscription and community health workers associations.

Present at the celebration were the country representatives of UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and other Ministry of Health partners.
For pictures of the event, please visit www.moh.gov.rw

The Ministry of Health together with the World Health Organization (WHO) held a two-day retreat with the objective of understanding each other’s internal procedures and enhancing coordination.

The working retreat was headed by the WHO country representative and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

During the retreat, the two parties had a mid term review of the current 2004-2005 bi-annual program with particular emphasis on what is remaining to be done and how it can be successfully completed.

WHO that runs two year programs also used the retreat as a platform to discuss the 2006-2007 bi-annual strategic objectives and priority areas.

“Our priority for the regular budget is the development of the Human resource for health,” noted Dr Ben E. Karenzi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

Dr Karenzi revealed that inclusive in the budget are 20 scholarships for specialized areas and support for post graduate programs at the high institutions of learning. He however hastened to add that despite human resource being a priority, the ministry will continue to support other existing activities.

By the end of the retreat, it was agreed that the focal points in both organizations should meet frequently, discuss programs, draw action plans together and then produce a quarterly performance report.

“It was very helpful to understand each others procedures, the retreat was wonderful, constructive with healthy exchange,” Dr Karenzi concluded

On the occasion of the 10th edition of the National Medical Conference, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and the Rwandan Medical Association is organizing a three day International Symposium on Infectious Diseases scheduled to take place from August 23-27, 2005 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The aims of the symposium are to produce and advance national treatment protocols in the areas of Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, Diarrheal diseases and Control of Nosocomial Infections. Particular emphasis will be put on establishing mechanisms to monitor utilization of the harmonized treatment guidelines for the above identified areas amongst children, pregnant women and the adult population in general.

Rwanda, which is currently designing an infection control policy, will use the outcome of the symposium as inputs to the policy.

Participants will be drawn from different international and national medical spheres including national clinicians, nurse practitioners working throughout the country and academics from the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Rwanda and Kigali Health Institute (KHI).

“Medical professionals in Rwanda come from different countries and different universities. It is important that they come together, discuss and share their experiences on subjects that are killing Rwandans. They also need to be updated and evaluated,” observed Dr Innocent Nyaruhirira, the Minister of State in Charge of HIV/AIDS and other epidemics.

The symposium will also serve as a unique opportunity to join efforts with international partners in a bid to exchange practices and enhance crucial partnership in addressing infectious diseases issues.

Participants are invited to submit abstracts and summaries of posters in either English or French on the areas to be discussed by June 30, 2005 at the following email address: symposium@moh.gov.rw