Rwandan and Danish institutions of higher learning are moving to strengthen collaboration in cancer research following the launch of the Global Health Hub, as concern grows over the disease as a global health challenge.

The partnership brings together the University of Rwanda (UR), the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), INES-Ruhengeri, and Aarhus University in Denmark, with cancer research identified as a key priority.

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Jean-Bosco Baribeshya, Vice Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri, said the collaboration with Aarhus University will primarily focus on research as part of broader efforts to address pressing health challenges.

"We are looking at developing joint research projects that will support our students and help generate funding through collaboration,” Baribeshya told The New Times.

He emphasised the need to expand cancer research in response to rising cases both globally and in Rwanda, noting that understanding the root causes of the disease is critical for effective prevention and treatment.

"We want to collaborate mainly on infectious diseases, but we also aim to strengthen capacity in cancer research and mitigation,” he said. "Cancer is a deadly disease, and we need more research to understand its root causes.”

Baribeshya noted that while cancer was once more prevalent in developed countries, it is increasingly affecting Rwanda.

"...but now Rwanda is seeing a growing number of cancer patients,” he said. "As an academic institution, we are keen to contribute to cancer diagnosis and treatment,” he added, pointing to ongoing research challenges at the Butaro Cancer Center.

Per Kallestrup, Research Director and Professor of Family Medicine and Global Health at Aarhus University, stressed the importance of commitment and openness in ensuring the success of the partnership.

"We should focus on education to build a well-informed population. In health, the better trained the professionals, the healthier the population and ultimately, the more prosperous the nation,” Kallestrup said, expressing strong interest in collaboration on cancer as a major global health threat.

"We all have different strengths and weaknesses. By supporting each other, we can go further and achieve more together,” he added.

Data from Butaro Level Two Teaching Hospital indicate a rise in cancer cases, particularly breast and cervical cancers. Of the 23,325 patients admitted, women with these cancers account for 48 percent—about 11,500 cases.

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"Cancer cases are rising, and the number of patients admitted here continues to grow,” said Dr Cyprien Shyirambere, Director of the Oncology Programme at Partners In Health (PIH), which co-manages Butaro Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UGHE.

"We receive only about half of the total patients who could be coming to the hospital,” he added.