Senators debate bill on bio-medical centre

Some Senators yesterday expressed concern over a bill establishing Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), saying the new body would be too big to manage. Tabling the bill, the Minister of Health, Dr Richard Sezibera, said the centre will incorporate existing institutions in the ministry, the School of Medicine and about 14 other government institutions. It was after Sezibera’s presentation that vocal Senator Chrysologue Kubwimana sprung in action saying that some of the institutions that will be merged have failed to fulfil their mandate. “Most of these institutions have problems; like King Faisal Hospital has failed completely. I propose that the Ministry instead splits these institutions into smaller units that can be easily managed,” said Kubwimana “These institutions are too many. One can simply say the RBC will be replacing the ministry. My worry is that the essence of the existence of the ministry will not have any value.” Responding to his colleague, Senator Rwigamba Balinda rejected Kubwimana’s observation saying that there is much to gain in merging the institutions. “Although this institution is broad, it will bring harmonization and good management of human, material and financial resources. Basically RBC is long overdue,” said Balinda. The RBC will coordinate services of the King Faisal Hospital, the National Reference Laboratory, Trac Plus, Health Communications Centre, National Centre for Blood Transfusion, AIDS Control Commission (CNLS), Medical Maintenance Workshop, the pharmaceutical laboratory (LABOPHAR), drugs procurement agency (CAMERWA) and the International Centre for Clinical Research. The centre also control training in medical sciences in the country. Sezibera said RBC will be charged with coordinating and improving research activities in the fields of disease prevention, education and provision of treatment to people at all levels and enable Rwanda to participate in the vital regional and global health industry. It will also act as a centre for health activities in the region; coordinate various health and research activities with a view to generating income in health activities. Ends