Masaka Hospital is currently in discussions regarding a prospective partnership with Baotou Central Hospital, a prominent medical institution in Inner Mongolia, China. According to Zhang Guili, the deputy secretary of the 2023 China Medical Team (CMT) and a surgeon at Inner Mongolia Baotou Central Hospital, the collaboration is expected to encompass various areas, including scientific research, teaching, and advancements in medical technology and equipment. ALSO READ: Govt earmarks 500ha in Masaka for Kigali medical hub Established in 1942, Baotou Central Hospital has successfully undertaken numerous research projects, earning over 240 honours. Among its accolades are recognition as a “Top 100 Hospital in China”, acknowledgment as an “Advanced Group in the National Healthcare System”, and designation as an experimental base for clinical pharmacy. With a capacity of 1,500 beds, the hospital caters to approximately 450,000 outpatients and 310,000 inpatients annually. It features 41 clinical departments, 18 medical and 19 functional departments, employing 315 senior and 308 intermediate medical professionals. ALSO READ: How Rwanda, China ties have impacted health sector In a recent development, representatives from both hospitals participated in the second Sino-Rwandan Nursing Symposium via video conference on December 14. During the symposium, they expressed their mutual interest in collaborating. Herve Gacuti, the clinical director at Masaka Hospital, emphasised the necessity for knowledge exchange, particularly in technology and practical aspects, between Rwandan medical professionals and their Chinese counterparts. Notably, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China has been dispatching medical teams to support Rwanda since 1982, with Baotou Central Hospital initiating its involvement in 1986. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is contributing funds to the expansion project of Masaka Hospital. Expected to conclude by 2025, the expansion aims to enhance the hospital’s capacity to accommodate 2,000 patients daily, with an increase in the number of beds to 837.
