On August 12, Rwandan and Egyptian representatives finalized a Memorandum of Understanding to supply medical equipment and devices for the MY Rwanda-Egypt Heart Care Center.
This cutting-edge facility, under construction in the Masaka area of Kicukiro District, Kigali, has a budget of $20 million and started being built in 2021. It is scheduled for completion in 2025 and is set to become the first heart care center of its kind in Central Africa.
The agreement between the Rwandan Food and Drugs Authority and the Egyptian Medicines Authority represents a significant milestone in enhancing collaboration in the heart care sector, stated Rwanda’s Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana. He and Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Badr Abdelaaty, who visited the construction site together, emphasized that the deal is designed to guarantee the quality, safety, and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products in both nations, which is vital for maintaining high standards at the new heart center.
Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized that the facility will provide advanced cardiac treatments, including complex open-heart surgeries and cardiac catheterizations, to patients from Rwanda and neighboring countries. This will be crucial in addressing the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the region.
He added that the heart center’s objectives extend beyond immediate medical care, aiming to include education, training, and research. “This integrated approach seeks to cultivate local expertise, reduce dependency on external specialists, and enhance Rwanda’s ability to manage complex cardiac conditions on its own,” the minister said.
He emphasized the importance of this initiative due to the high incidence of congenital and acquired heart diseases in the region, particularly affecting children and young adults.
He also noted that the recent agreement supports Rwanda’s 4×4 strategy, which aims to increase the country’s healthcare workforce fourfold over the next four years.
Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted Rwanda’s anticipation of gaining insights from Egypt’s well-established healthcare system and expertise to achieve this goal.
The partnership between Rwanda and Egypt for the heart center began in 2018, facilitated by the esteemed Egyptian cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, a leading figure in the field of heart care.
The center has gained support from key partners such as Life Care Technology from the UK and Siemens from Germany, who have been enlisted to provide the necessary medical equipment, according to the Egyptian foreign minister.
He described this partnership as “a pivotal development” in the diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Egypt.
Dr. Abdelaaty highlighted that the MY Rwanda-Egypt Heart Care Centre embodies the shared vision of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Egyptian President Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi, both of whom are committed to making Rwanda a central hub for health services by 2030.
“The heart center is a key element of this vision, providing top-notch medical services and state-of-the-art technology to patients throughout Central and Eastern Africa.”
The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, affiliated with Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has given $3.3 million to Rwanda as a grant.
In addition to healthcare, Rwanda and Egypt are expanding their cooperation in logistics and transportation.
