Rwanda’s Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana visited Gustave Roussy, one of the world’s leading cancer centres, in Paris and signed a memorandum of understanding with Gustave Roussy International and the Institut de Radiologie Interventionnelle et de Médecine Interventionnelle (IRMI).
The agreement focuses on strengthening cancer care and developing Rwandan expertise in interventional radiology.
“This partnership will strengthen cancer care, develop Rwandan expertise in interventional radiology, and deepen Rwanda-France cooperation in training, research and innovation,” the Ministry of Health said.
Gustave Roussy International supports the development of cancer services outside France by sharing expertise in clinical care, professional training and the organisation of specialised health facilities.
IRMI specialises in interventional radiology and image-guided medicine. The field uses medical imaging to perform targeted and minimally invasive procedures, reducing the need for conventional surgery in appropriate cases.
In cancer care, the procedures can be used to collect tissue samples, destroy selected tumours, deliver treatment directly to cancerous tissue and manage complications caused by the disease.
Rwanda has introduced several interventional radiology procedures at King Faisal Hospital and Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital. The agreement is intended to strengthen the skills of local specialists through training, research and knowledge exchange.
The National Cancer Control Plan for 2025-2029 identifies the Rwanda Cancer Centre in Kigali, Butaro Hospital and King Faisal Hospital as the country’s main cancer-care facilities.
The Rwanda Cancer Centre is the country’s only radiotherapy provider. Cancer patients also receive services including surgery, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging and pathology at referral and teaching hospitals.
An assessment conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer recognised Rwanda’s progress in cancer control but found that access to comprehensive services still needed to be expanded.
The latest estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer show that Rwanda recorded approximately 12,440 new cancer cases and 7,991 cancer-related deaths in 2024.
Prostate cancer was the most frequently diagnosed form of the disease, followed by breast and cervical cancers. Together, the three accounted for more than 40 per cent of estimated new cases.
Rwanda’s cancer-control plan prioritises prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and the development of a specialised health workforce.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10