The Aga Khan University Hospital, an international teaching hospital for healthcare based in Nairobi, has donated two mobile clinic vehicles and 20 medical refrigerators to Rwanda. These resources will help store vaccines and deliver essential healthcare services to rural communities directly.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Prof. Mambo Claude Muvunyi, and Shekar Iyer, Aga Khan Hospital’s Director of Operations, signed the donation agreement. The initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is valued at 490 million Rwandan francs. According to Shekar, this support aims to enhance the quality of healthcare services, particularly in vaccination efforts.
“This aid is expected to improve healthcare services for everyone, as these mobile clinics will reach people where they live, supporting Rwanda’s mission to provide universal healthcare and prevent the spread of increasing diseases,” he stated. Shekar also affirmed that Aga Khan Hospital will continue supporting Rwanda’s healthcare sector by providing specialized doctors and training local professionals, including nurses and midwives.
Philippe Taflinski, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Kigali, highlighted Germany’s commitment to delivering vaccines and medicine to Africa. Germany chose Aga Khan Hospital as a partner to implement health initiatives across East Africa. Taflinski noted that since 2022, Germany has been actively supporting African countries in accessing COVID-19 vaccines. Although COVID-19 cases have declined, ongoing infrastructure and equipment are essential for tackling new epidemics, such as Marburg virus and monkeypox.
“Rwanda has demonstrated rapid response capabilities in this joint effort to combat pandemics,” Taflinski said, adding that since 2022, the German government has delivered 1.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Rwanda through its partnership with Aga Khan Hospital.
Prof. Muvunyi, the Director General of RBC, explained that the two new mobile clinics will supplement the four currently in use and will support the fight against non-communicable diseases, allowing healthcare to reach patients in their communities. “These two mobile clinics are fully equipped to bring medical services closer to our people, helping address prevalent non-communicable diseases and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care,” he said.
The 20 new medical refrigerators will also enhance vaccine storage, ensuring the safe preservation of vaccines for children and adults in local health posts near communities.
BY UMULISA Annette
