The fifth East African Community (EAC) Armed Forces Civil-Military Cooperation Week kicked off on June 29 at Nyanza District Hospital, where medical specialists from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania provided free healthcare services to members of the general public. The week-long initiative, running through July 3, is part of the nationwide Defence and Security Outreach Programme 2025 in celebration of Liberation. ALSO READ: Regional defence experts set stage for civil-military cooperation activities in Rwanda EAC medical teams also served communities at Ngoma District Hospital. Services offered included general and orthopedic surgery, dental care, internal medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology (including eye surgeries), obstetrics, dermatology, and laboratory services. Dr Jerome Mfitumukiza, Director General of Nyanza District Hospital, said they often had to refer patients elsewhere due to missing specialties, which was costly and time-consuming. “But now that these specialties have been brought closer to us by the EAC military forces, our patients are being treated here at home. It's even more impactful because the services are being provided for free, which greatly reduces the financial burden on patients,” Mfitumukiza said. ALSO READ: Security organs’ citizen outreach targets infrastructure, education, healthcare He estimated that around 800 patients will benefit from the initiative, helping to clear the hospital’s backlog of appointments. “The specialists working with us are not only treating patients, but they’re also exchanging knowledge and experiences with our own staff, which helps improve the overall quality of care,” he said. Ruth Uwibogoye, a Nyanza resident, said she previously had to travel long distances and spend a lot on transport to get treatment for her eye condition. “But this time, it was quick and nearby. They treated me well, gave me medication, and even scheduled another appointment for me to return when I finish the medication,” Uwibogoye said. “We are used to thinking that soldiers are only involved in matters of security, so I was impressed to see them also involved in healthcare,” she added. Lt Col Justus Bwaley, a consultant pediatrician from the Kenya Defence Forces, said the initiative reflects the importance of regional collaboration. “First and foremost, we come to know each other, we interact, and then we get to the real business of the day, he said. We are here to learn about what happens in Rwanda, to share our knowledge, and to collaborate in improving patient care. Once we sit down, we hope to have made a real difference not just to our patients, but to our shared understanding as defence forces,” he said. ALSO READ: RDF, US military medics treat 5,000 patients in Rwanda Although only two days into their visit, Bwaley said they were already impressed by Rwanda’s healthcare infrastructure, support systems, and interactions with patients and medical staff. He emphasised the need for deeper regional health integration, urging collaboration beyond military activities to include funding models, infrastructure, and supply chain management, to build a resilient and unified health system. Lt Col Medard Mrema, a dental surgeon from Tanzania, also noted the importance of the joint military outreach in strengthening ties among military medical professionals. “This cooperation between our armies helps us build strong relationships as medical professionals,Mrema said. We share experiences and, more importantly, extend our services to civilians which is the core purpose of this initiative. We’re committed to reaching even more people. Our country has sent enough doctors, and we are proud to be part of this joint effort.” The Civil-Military Cooperation Week activities will continue through July 3 in various districts. In addition to medical outreach, infrastructure projects to expand access to clean water and electricity are also planned.
