New RDF, US Army medical outreach programme to benefit citizens in Rwamagana District
Thursday, January 18, 2024
A joint team of medical doctors from RDF and US Army, will provide health care in Rwamagana from March 14. Photo by Emmanuel Nkangura

Rwandan and US military doctors on Wednesday, January 17, met Rwamagana District officials to discuss how best they can conduct a medical outreach exercise scheduled for mid-March.

The teams that met District officials are led by Rwanda Defence Force's Lt Col Dr. John Bukuru and the US Army's Lt Col Angera Ling. Rwamagana District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, told The New Times that the move is part of RDF’s regular citizen-outreach-programme, in which the army carries out activities geared towards the socio-economic development of citizens.

Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, Rwamagana mayor said the team will conduct a series of healthcare services including general surgery, eye and dental care among others.

The military doctors will provide healthcare services including orthopedics, general surgery, dental, gynecology, and eye care, to locals in the district.

He said: "The medical teams will operate from three sites: Rwamagana Hospital, Mwulire Health Centre, and Gahini Hospital. Depending on the doctor-to-patient ratio, patients could occasionally have to wait for the availability of a medical expert; the missions will be beneficial because a certain number of critical cases are given immediate attention.”

Mwulire Health Center, a facility that serves more than 30,000 residents, will host residents from Musha, Gahengeri, Muyumbu and other areas during the RDF outreach programme

Besides providing health care services, the RDF citizen outreach programme includes other activities such as constructing homes for vulnerable people and controlling soil erosion, among others.

Patients who need eye care and orthopedic services will go to Gahini Hospital, while others will go to Mwulire Health Center and Rwamagana Hospital.