For more than four decades, China and Rwanda have built a health partnership that has moved beyond diplomatic relations to improve access to specialised medical services for thousands of Rwandans. The latest milestone in the cooperation is the establishment of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic at Kibungo Hospital in Ngoma District, where patients can now access acupuncture treatment for chronic pain and other conditions. ALSO READ: Chinese medics offer free care to Rwamagana residents Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi says the clinic reflects the evolution of the two countries’ medical cooperation, which has grown from the deployment of medical teams to knowledge transfer, infrastructure support and the introduction of new treatment approaches. “For over the past four decades, China and Rwanda have walked side by side on the path of medical cooperation,” Gao said. Since 1982, China has sent 26 medical teams comprising 343 professionals to Rwanda. Based at Kibungo and Masaka hospitals, the teams have treated more than 720,000 patients, carried out over 40,000 surgeries and helped save more than 16,400 critically ill patients. “Our cooperation, however, is measured not in years alone, but in lives touched,” Gao said. He said the current Chinese medical team has, since the start of the year, performed 665 surgeries, treated more than 15,400 patients and conducted 25 community outreach and health training programmes. The TCM clinic has also recorded more than 13,000 patient visits, indicating growing interest in alternative treatment options. ALSO READ: Chinese medics donate equipment, medicine to Kibungo Referral Hospital Gao said Kibungo Hospital represents the long-standing friendship between Rwanda and China, having benefited from years of cooperation in healthcare. “The establishment of this Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic adds a new chapter to this story,” he said, adding that the initiative demonstrates China’s role not only in supporting infrastructure and equipment but also in sharing expertise and developing local capacity. Expanding treatment options The new clinic introduces acupuncture, a traditional Chinese practice that uses fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body to help relieve pain and promote healing. Dr Jean Claude Munyemana, Director General of Kibungo Hospital, said the service responds to a growing demand among patients suffering from chronic back, shoulder and joint pain who have not found sufficient relief through conventional treatment. He said Chinese medical teams have supported the hospital in several specialised areas, including surgery, maternity and emergency care, while also contributing to the training of local health workers. “Through our partnership with the Chinese medical team, we have established a strong relationship that has enabled us to treat patients across different medical specialties. This time they have introduced Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture, which offers another treatment option for patients suffering from back pain, shoulder pain and other joint conditions,” Munyemana said. Acupuncture services are currently available at Kibungo and Masaka hospitals, with about 15 patients receiving treatment daily through Rwanda’s community-based health insurance scheme after medical assessment and approval. Munyemana said the hospital plans to train Rwandan doctors in Traditional Chinese Medicine to ensure the service continues beyond the deployment of Chinese medical teams. “We are grateful for the support China has provided over the years, from infrastructure development and medical equipment to specialised expertise. Training our doctors in Traditional Chinese Medicine will enable us to expand these services to more patients in the future,” he said. Health officials say the introduction of Traditional Chinese Medicine will widen treatment options for patients while strengthening Rwanda’s healthcare system through skills transfer and international collaboration.
