Lawyers convene over new law regulating healthcare services

Lawyers, legal practitioners, and representatives from child protection, women’s rights, and health advocacy institutions are attending a two-day training on the new law regulating health services. Organized by the Rwanda Bar Association, the workshop seeks to enhance participants’ understanding of the new legal framework governing healthcare services and to strengthen collaboration between legal and health sectors. The new law regulating health services includes articles strengthening patient rights, those assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, surrogacy, egg or sperm donation as well as the removal of parental consent on access to health services for adolescents aged 15 and above. The law also defines professional liability and accountability mechanisms for healthcare providers. Over the two days, participants are examining how these provisions will impact legal practice, health service delivery, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Discussions are examining the new health services law from multiple perspectives, exploring the ethical and social implications of the reforms, ensuring accountability in cases of rights violations, building the capacity of legal aid providers, promoting confidentiality and informed consent, integrating responses to gender-based violence, and raising public awareness about the law and patients’ rights. In a plenary session, Advocate Jean-Baptiste Mvano emphasized that justice requires a careful balance between empathy and legal precision. He supported the participants to use lived experiences to explore how personal biases and cultural contexts can shape legal interpretation. Mvano encouraged the legal practitioners to acknowledge these influences and reinforce objectivity in defending patients’ rights. To be fair and effective, we must look beyond legal texts. We must first examine our own biases and then focus on being intentional about understanding the everyday lives of those the law is meant to serve and protect. A welcome workshop The Improvement and Development Officer at the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA), Joy Mukakamali, said the new law regulating health services is a welcome step that brings order and clarity to previously undefined areas. “The law is a positive step because it provides clear guidance on key issues, such as assisted reproductive technologies like surrogacy, which previously had no legal framework. Now, all parties involved, whether a surrogate or an intended parent, can clearly understand their rights, responsibilities, and the legal implications of their decisions,” she said. She also added that the workshop will support the legal practitioners to become more effective in advising and supporting their clients. “This law is new, and many people aren’t yet familiar with its provisions. This training helps us guide clients, raise awareness, and turn progressive policies into action at the community level,” she added. The Policy and Advocacy Officer at Health Development Initiative (HDI), Denise Teta, said the training is crucial because, while the new medical law is progressive, many legal practioners are still unfamiliar with its provisions. “Passing the law is just the first step; the focus is now shifting to implementation. Lawyers are essential in helping healthcare facilities navigate and apply the law when challenges come up,” she said. Teta said that the lively discussions have also focused on reproductive health, a topic she says always raise important questions. She said that participants also learned about gender-based violence, including emerging issues like technology-related GBV. “With this knowledge, we hope they can contribute to the ongoing review of GBV laws and ensure that their legal input keeps pace with Rwanda’s evolving social realities,” she said. Teta noted that the initiative is not only about connecting law and health, but also about closing the gap between policy and practice. Liberal Majyambere, a practicing lawyer and mediator, said the training has been valuable for keeping legal practitioners updated about recent legal changes. “As lawyers, we have a responsibility to stay informed about legal reforms. This knowledge is key as we guide clients who can be providers, patients, and the general community to understand their rights and obligations under the law.” He called for more similar opportunities to ensure that more legal practitioners are informed.

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Lawyers convene over new law regulating healthcare services