MOH receives equipment worth Rwf 5.7bn from US firm

With the aim of boosting the quality of health services offered in rural areas, Bob Corcoran the Vice President of General Electric Company in the United States has donated medical equipment to Rwanda. The Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera said that Nyamata, Kibungo, Rubavu, Kanombe, Nemba, Rwinkwavu and Rwamagana, CHUK hospitals will be the beneficiaries. 

Friday, August 28, 2009
WE LACK CAPACITY: Dr. Richard Sezibera.

With the aim of boosting the quality of health services offered in rural areas, Bob Corcoran the Vice President of General Electric Company in the United States has donated medical equipment to Rwanda. 

The Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera said that Nyamata, Kibungo, Rubavu, Kanombe, Nemba, Rwinkwavu and Rwamagana, CHUK hospitals will be the beneficiaries.

"During allocation of the equipment, focus was put on those located in rural areas because they serve so many people in the provinces.

Soon others like Shyira hospital in Nyabihu will also receive the equipment,” he said.

While thanking Corcoran, Sezibera assured that the state-of-the-art equipment which includes, X-ray ultra sound machines, laboratory tools for testing various diseases, incubators for pre-mature babies and other equipment will be maintained well for sustainability.

"We are very glad that this development will not only promote the quality of health but will boost medical education as well.

To ensure that the equipment serves its purpose in a sustainable way, we are increasing the capacity of our health workers since some equipment is digital,” he added.

While the company has donated less equipment in other developing countries, Corcoran said that a lot more has been given to more Rwandan hospitals due to government’s strong commitment to improving health.

"The need to improve the quality of health in this country is very significant, but again through the ministry, we have been able to see how the government is determined to ensure equal access of the services to all,” he said.

"We have also seen how well they manage the equipment. For this reason we will bring more equipment to upgrade 30 other health systems as part of our work here,” Corcoran said with a smile.

Officials also noted that electrical generators have been offered to some facilities to ensure consistent power supply in support of the machinery.

Ends