Women with cervical cancer in Rwanda now have access to brachytherapy, a treatment recently introduced at the Rwanda Cancer Center. The service is part of the country’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027 under its Mission 2027 goal. ALSO READ: Rwanda to introduce vaccine against six cancers “Brachytherapy is a vital treatment for advanced cervical cancer. It works by placing a radioactive source directly inside or near the tumour, delivering high-dose radiation that targets cancer cells and protecting nearby organs,” said Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Programme at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). ALSO READ: How far has Rwanda gone in eliminating cervical cancer? He noted that when combined with chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT, where radiation is delivered from outside the body), it helps control the disease and improve survival. According to Maniragaba, women in Rwanda can now receive care that meets the standards set by the World Health Organisation and international oncology guidelines. He added that the treatment is more precise and effective, lowering the chance that cancer remains after therapy, and noted that studies show brachytherapy can increase cure rates by 15 to 20 percent for eligible patients. “The service eases the challenges patients previously faced when treatment was only available abroad. Many had to travel outside the country, facing high costs and spending six weeks away from their families. “Treatment required extra support at home, which added to the financial and emotional burden,” Maniragaba said. According to Dr. Maniragaba, offering brachytherapy locally under Community Based Health Insurance (Mutuelle de santé) allows families to avoid costly travel and accommodation, and patients can get care close to home. He added that brachytherapy improves the overall hospital experience as treatment requires fewer sessions compared with external beam radiotherapy alone, which shortens the time patients spend in care. Maniragaba said the treatment reduces side effects, such as bowel and bladder problems, and lets women receive care in a familiar social and cultural environment. He noted that patients also benefit from better coordination between healthcare teams and shorter waiting times, improving the overall quality and continuity of care. Alain Fabrice Mizero, the Executive Director of Rwanda Cancer Relief, an organisation that supports improved cancer care, said the service will make daily life easier for patients. “Many women travel from distant districts and stay in Kigali for weeks to complete radiotherapy. Even when treatment is covered by insurance, costs for food, transport, and accommodation add up. With brachytherapy, fewer sessions are needed, which reduces costs and the time spent away from home,” he said. Mizero explained that treatment every day for 30 days affects the body differently than treatment delivered over fewer, targeted sessions. He said that fewer sessions can limit side effects and improve quality of life, and the service will ease pressure on hospitals since waiting times will be reduced, and improve patient flow (the process from check-in to treatment and discharge). “New services only help if patients understand them. We guide patients through every step, from surgery to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, so they know where to go and what to expect,” Mizero said. RBC has trained specialised health workers at the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital to provide brachytherapy.
