A Chinese medical team has performed an advanced laparoscopic hernia surgery at Masaka Hospital, using a less invasive approach that allows patients to be treated through small incisions instead of traditional open surgery.

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The procedure was carried out on a Rwandan man on Wednesday, July 8, by surgeons Dr. Fan Guidong and Dr. Yin Tao, alongside other members of their surgical team.

The operation took about one hour.

Dr. Guidong said the minimally invasive approach helps patients experience less pain, recover faster and face a lower risk of recurrence compared with traditional open surgery.

According to Dr. Tao, the procedure was introduced because hernias are common in both Rwanda and China. Although laparoscopic hernia repair is widely used in China, the technique is still emerging in Rwanda and could become more widely available in the future.

During the operation, surgeons repaired the hernia by placing a mesh to support the weakened area before closing the small cuts. The procedure can be used to treat different types of hernias, including direct and indirect inguinal hernias and femoral hernias.

Dr. Jean-Aristide Ufitinema, Clinical Director at Masaka Hospital, said introducing laparoscopic surgery at the facility would expand access to advanced surgical care and reduce referrals.

Dr. Ufitinema explained that a hernia occurs when part of an organ, often the intestine, pushes through a weak area in the surrounding tissue, causing it to move out of its normal position.

"The difference between performing surgery with the equipment and without it is significant. Laparoscopic surgery takes less time, requires smaller incisions and reduces the risks associated with the operation,” he said.

He explained that while hernia operations have long been performed in Rwanda, laparoscopic surgery is mostly available at referral hospitals such as The University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), The Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital, and King Faisal Hospital. Many district hospitals do not have the equipment needed to perform the procedure.

Dr. Ufitinema said having the Chinese medical team at Masaka Hospital has helped manage cases that would otherwise require referral.

"Before, when we had many surgical cases, one of the options was to transfer patients to hospitals like CHUK or Kanombe. But when the Chinese medical team is here, many of those cases can be handled at Masaka,” he said.

He added that treating patients closer to their communities reduces delays and prevents conditions from worsening while waiting for surgery.

The Chinese medical team plans to train Rwandan doctors so they can eventually perform the procedure independently.

Han Hong Yang, leader of the Chinese Medical Team, said the team’s mission is to provide treatment and share skills with Rwandan health professionals.

"We do not only want to provide treatment. Our purpose is to help Rwandan doctors and nurses learn new techniques so that when we return to China, these skills remain here and continue benefiting Rwandans,” Yang said.

The team has signed a memorandum of understanding with University of Gitwe to support training, clinical practice and surgical skills development. The programme is expected to begin in September based on Rwanda’s health needs.

The 26th Chinese Medical Team in Rwanda has 19 members covering eight specialties, including surgery, anaesthesia, orthopaedics, gynaecology, dentistry and others.

China’s medical assistance to Rwanda dates back to 1982, with 26 teams comprising 243 health professionals deployed over the years.

Yang said that the team also provides traditional Chinese medicine services, including acupuncture, at Masaka Hospital and Kibungo Hospital, where more than 13,000 people have accessed care since the beginning of the year.

The team has donated medical equipment, including operating theatre beds and wheelchairs to Masaka Hospital.

"We are improving skills through training and supporting hospitals with equipment. We want to help Rwanda continue developing its healthcare system,” Yang said.