Rwanda has added brachytherapy to its cancer treatment services to strengthen care for patients with cervical cancer as the country works toward eliminating the disease by 2027. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s push to eliminate cervical cancer ahead of WHO targets The addition was announced on February 3 during the National Cancer Symposium in Kigali. The event is bringing together health experts and policymakers to review progress and challenges in cancer prevention and treatment. It was held ahead of World Cancer Day, marked on February 4. ALSO READ: HPV self-testing is helping women catch cervical cancer early “Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which a radioactive source is placed inside or near a tumour, allowing radiation to target cancer cells directly while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissue,” explained Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Programme at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). He noted that unlike external radiotherapy, where the radiation is delivered from a distance, brachytherapy places the source close to the cervix. This focused approach reduces side effects and improves treatment outcomes. Dr Maniragaba added that the service is now available at the Rwanda Cancer Centre (RCC) at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kanombe. In an interview at the event, Dr Maniragaba noted that addition of brachytherapy closes a main gap in radiotherapy services. “Cervical cancer treatment requires surgery, radiotherapy and systemic treatment. All these treatments are now available in Rwanda. For years, patients who needed brachytherapy were referred abroad, a process that increased costs and delayed care. The service will improve access to treatment and reduce dependence on abroad referrals.” He said brachytherapy reduces side effects, improves quality of life, and increases survival by focusing radiation on the affected organ. Dr Maniragaba explained that the service supports Rwanda’s cervical cancer elimination strategy, known as Mission 2027, which targets 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 percent screening for pre-cancerous lesions and treatment for 90 percent of detected cases. “Mission 2027 is a government initiative to eliminate cervical cancer as an epidemic. Treatment is a key pillar, especially for women who already have cancer.” He said that RBC has trained specialised health workers at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital to provide brachytherapy. “These are highly specialised skills. We trained our teams so that patients who reach the stage of needing brachytherapy can receive it here in the country,” he stated. Cervical cancer remains a public health concern, with gaps in screening and follow-up care. Maniragaba said many women do not return to health facilities after testing positive for HPV. “It does not make sense to screen and then not come back for follow-up. When a woman is found with a pre-cancer lesion (an early abnormal growth that could develop into cancer), the goal is to treat it before it becomes cancer,” he added. Dr Maniragaba noted that limited infrastructure continues to affect access to radiotherapy services. With only one radiotherapy centre currently operating, patients often face long waiting periods. “When patient numbers are high, people may wait one month, two months or even three months to access radiotherapy. That is why there are plans to expand radiotherapy services to other regions, especially in the southern and northern parts of the country,” he noted. The oncologist added that measures are ongoing to ensure cancer treatment services, including brachytherapy, are accessible under the Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme.
