At least 100 people per day will access free early screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs); including diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer and breast cancer, as well as infectious diseases such as HIV through a newly launched mobile clinic, The New Times understands. The programme targets 30,000 beneficiaries annually. The mobile clinic was flagged off during the International Medical Symposium 2026 at the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The new integrated medical van, which will be operated by Health Development Initiative (HDI) was donated by Aster Volunteers of Aster DM Healthcare, in partnership with The Big Heart Foundation and the Ministry of Health. Speaking to The New Times at the launch, HDI’s Dr. Dan Lutasingwa said that the mobile clinic was acquired to reach communities facing geographical barriers, expanding equitable access to healthcare, and delivering essential services to those most in need. He explained that the initiative aims to promote early disease detection and ensure timely hospital referrals, reducing preventable illnesses and complications. “We will work with healthcare providers alongside medical and health science students in villages and other high-risk areas to conduct screenings in communities with a high disease burden such as informal settlements, densely populated neighbourhoods, and border towns. Leveraging AI Dr. Lutasingwa said that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be leveraged to expand access to quality screening services, particularly for cervical cancer and rheumatic heart disease especially among the children. He explained that technicians will operate a mobile ultrasound device in the field, enabling doctors in Kigali to make immediate assessments remotely through telemedicine. “When you place a probe on a patient, a doctor in Kigali can instantly determine whether a child is sick. This approach bridges the gap between patients and referral systems,” he noted. For cervical cancer, the clinic will combine screening and vaccination services. “Rwanda aims to eliminate this disease soon. We will also integrate mammography for breast cancer. All these services are included in the van, and we hope to reach as many people as possible,” Lutasingwa said. He also commended the partnership’s fellowship programme with Aster DM Healthcare, which enables local specialists and healthcare workers to receive advanced training and internships in heart disease, cancer care and surgical procedures before returning to serve in Rwanda. The initiative, he said, contributes to the country’s ambition to position itself as a regional medical tourism hub. “In that case, we need technicians exposed to world-class standards. This is a small step HDI is taking to ensure patients receive high-quality care while professionals gain international exposure,” he added. Jaleel Pa, General Manager for CSR and Sustainability at Aster DM Healthcare, said the 10-year partnership will prioritise sustainability and high-quality service delivery, supported by advanced technology installed in the mobile clinic. “We have 15 years of experience in mobile clinic services. We launched our first units in the UAE and India, and currently operate 71 mobile clinics globally,” he said. The medical van is equipped with Wi-Fi, Internet of Things (IoT) technology, solar power, modern diagnostic equipment and conference facilities. These features will facilitate not only basic screenings but also remote consultations with volunteer doctors and specialists locally and internationally. “We sincerely thank the Ministry of Health for coordinating this initiative and linking us with HDI. To ensure quality services, we recently facilitated specialists to travel to Dubai for advanced training and skills development,” he said. Adedatus Basingize, a final-year dental student at the University of Rwanda, is excited to join the outreach team. He described the initiative as an opportunity to gain practical experience while delivering solutions directly to communities. “AI makes our operations more efficient. It does not replace the human element in healthcare but enhances service quality. We are excited to be part of addressing today’s challenges with innovative tools,” he said.
