Thirty Rwandan medical students are expected to travel to China this month to pursue medical studies under new scholarships, Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said.

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Nsanzimana said the scholarships are part of the growing health partnership between Rwanda and China, which is expected to expand beyond infrastructure to include training, medical missions, technology and exchanges between health professionals from the two countries.

"We got a confirmation that there are new scholarships for 30 medical students going this month to China to study medicine for many years, come back and treat Rwandan patients,” Nsanzimana said in an interview during the handover of the newly expanded Masaka Hospital in Kicukiro District.

He said Rwanda expects the partnership to create more opportunities for Chinese doctors and other health professionals to work in the country for longer periods and in different medical specialties.

"We already have medical missions, doctors and health professionals that have been coming from China. We expect more to come and stay here longer in different specialties,” he said.

The minister said the partnership between the two countries should not be viewed only through the buildings and facilities constructed with Chinese support, but also through the people who use, manage and develop them.

"It is important to have people at the centre of what we do. This building can be here, but without people, it is just a building,” he said.

Nsanzimana said health cooperation between Rwanda and China dates back about 40 years, beginning with support to Kibungo Hospital.

He said Rwanda and China will continue working together to ensure that the health infrastructure is matched with skills, expertise and services that benefit patients.

The minister also pointed to technology as another area with potential for deeper cooperation, particularly in expanding access to specialised medical care.

He said Rwanda wants to see technologies that can allow doctors to provide care to patients even when they are physically away from the hospital.

Nsanzimana said the partnership is expected to promote cultural exchange, with more people travelling between Rwanda and China for education, healthcare and professional development.