The Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga has raised $50,000 towards a $5 million campaign to procure Rwanda’s first Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scanner, with the club targeting at least $500,000 by the end of this year.

Rotary plans to raise the full $5 million within three years to finance the acquisition and installation of the advanced diagnostic equipment at Kanombe.

The fundraising campaign was highlighted on Sunday, August 9, during the inaugural Kigali Cancer Walk, which brought together Rotarians, government officials, health professionals, private-sector representatives and members of the public for cancer awareness, screening and fundraising.

ALSO READ: Cancer: Rwanda adds brachytherapy to treatment services

Alex Ndibwami, president of the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, said $45,000 of the money raised so far came from a fundraising gala held at the Radisson Blu in Kigali on March 28, while another $5,000 was raised through activities linked to the cancer walk.

"We are looking to increase this amount of money, perhaps even by 10 times, to get to at least half a million by the end of the year,” Ndibwami said.

He said reaching the $500,000 milestone this year would put the club on course to achieve the full $5 million target within three years.

"If we can raise half a million dollars by the end of this year, then it is possible to do it in less than three years,” he said.

The campaign is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), with government involvement expected to help attract more partners and supporters.

Ndibwami said Rotary plans to expand fundraising partnerships with corporate entities, financial institutions and telecommunications companies. The club is also exploring models through which small contributions could be made from certain transactions.

Scanner to expand specialised care

The planned SPECT scanner is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to diagnose and manage cancer and other diseases locally, reducing the need for patients to seek specialised services abroad.

Jean Marie Vianney Ndayizigiye, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, said the country spends between Rwf3 billion and Rwf5 billion sending patients abroad for treatment.

ALSO READ: How will patients benefit from new cancer treatment?

"Between Rwf3 and 5 billion is spent sending people abroad for treatment. If those treatments could instead be provided here in Rwanda, that money could be saved,” Ndayizigiye said.

He said the scanner could also serve patients from neighbouring countries because of the limited availability of SPECT technology on the African continent.

"There are fewer than seven places on the continent with this kind of equipment. So this is a good opportunity that could also help the country generate revenue,” he said.

Dr François Uwinkindi, who works in the RBC department responsible for non-communicable diseases, said the scanner will have applications beyond cancer diagnosis.

It will support the diagnosis and management of conditions including heart and kidney diseases, epilepsy and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

"It is an advanced machine and represents some of the latest technology in precision diagnosis,” Uwinkindi said.

He said the technology will also help doctors detect diseases earlier and support more personalised cancer treatment.

"Previously, cancer was generally treated in a broad manner. But now, if one patient has breast cancer that is different from another patient’s, for example, we need to carry out specific tests to determine which treatment is appropriate,” he said.

Government backs campaign

The Ministry of Health has been involved in the project from its early stages, including conducting a needs assessment with Rotary and helping connect the initiative to potential partners.

Ndibwami said government involvement is important in giving the campaign credibility and helping mobilise additional support.

"The ministry is basically the gateway to making sure this initiative is trusted and that Rwandans understand that it is a Government of Rwanda initiative alongside Rotary and its partners,” he said.

The Ministry and RBC will also support cancer awareness and screening activities as part of the wider campaign.

Ndayizigiye said the country has continued to strengthen cancer services through facilities including Butaro and Huye. He added that another machine being developed at Kanombe is expected to work alongside the planned SPECT scanner.

Prevention push

The Kigali Cancer Walk was also aimed at promoting cancer prevention and early detection.

ALSO READ: How can Rwanda increase funding for cancer treatment?

Uwinkindi urged people to address preventable risk factors, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and severe obesity.

He also encouraged regular health checks, particularly as people grow older, while highlighting HPV vaccination and screening as key tools in preventing cervical cancer.

The country is implementing a campaign aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2027.

Ndibwami said the SPECT project builds on Rotary’s contribution to major development initiatives.

He noted that Rotary members were among those who contributed to the establishment of the Kigali Public Library about 25 years ago, an initiative that involved a $6 million investment.

"After 25 years, we felt that we needed to actually do something as big as what we did 25 years ago,” he said.

The Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga said fundraising will continue beyond the inaugural cancer walk, with individuals, businesses, institutions and development partners expected to contribute towards the $5 million target.