After the Rwandan government recognized the need to advance the treatment of heart diseases due to the number of Rwandans suffering from these conditions and the challenges they face in accessing care, Rwanda began constructing a specialized hospital for treating these diseases in 2021. It is said that this hospital will be the first of its kind at such a high level in the region where Rwanda is located.

Rwandans say that this hospital will relieve them of the burden of having to seek treatment for heart diseases abroad.

Rwandans say that this hospital will relieve them of the burden of having to seek treatment for heart diseases abroad. Among those interviewed by Isango Star, one person said: "Heart disease is serious because it claims many lives when not properly treated. Many people can't afford to seek treatment abroad, as most are given referrals to go outside the country, but then they can't find the money for tickets or the fees for treatment. So, the fact that they are building a heart disease hospital in our country is something we are very happy about because many people were dying from these conditions."

Another person added: "Financial constraints are one of the reasons people die unnecessarily. But now that this hospital is closer, I am convinced it is the solution, which is why it won't be a major problem anymore, as there were people who died from diseases not because they were unaware of them, but because of financial difficulties."

The Ministry of Health highlights that heart diseases are among the most concerning because they are among the leading causes of death. This is the main reason for building this hospital, which will be staffed with specialists in treating heart diseases.

Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana stated: "This is a specialized heart hospital with experts from the entrance to the point where advanced treatments are provided, all handled by those trained in cardiology. It's a hospital with expertise. We are used to hospitals with different departments: paediatrics, maternity... up to where there is a cardiologist. But this hospital will focus solely on heart treatment, which also means the level of expertise here will be unparalleled elsewhere."

"The second aspect is the doctors. In this specialized hospital, they will handle urgent cases such as heart conditions and blocked blood vessels that could lead to death if not treated within minutes. Conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and similar emergencies will be addressed here thanks to the expertise of the doctors. These procedures will be performed here, and there will be a collaboration with other institutions similar to the well-known one built in Egypt, which inspired the idea of constructing a similar facility in Rwanda."

After the Rwandan government recognized the need to advance heart disease treatment due to the number of Rwandans suffering from these conditions and the difficulties in accessing care, Rwanda began constructing a specialized heart disease hospital in 2021. This hospital is expected to be the first of its kind at such a high level in the region where Rwanda is located.

Rwandans believe that this hospital will relieve them of the burden of seeking treatment for heart diseases abroad.

Among those interviewed by Isango Star, one person said: “Heart disease is serious because it kills many people if not properly managed. Some people cannot afford to seek treatment abroad, as many are given referrals to go outside the country, but then they struggle with finding money for tickets or treatment fees. So, we are very pleased that they are building a heart disease hospital in our country because many people have died from these conditions.”

From the Ministry of Health's perspective, heart diseases are a major concern as they cause many deaths. This is why they are building a hospital with specialized expertise in treating heart diseases.

Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana stated: “This will be a specialized heart hospital with experts from the entrance to advanced treatment areas, all handled by those trained in cardiology. It will be a hospital with expertise. We are used to hospitals with various departments: paediatrics, maternity... up to where a cardiologist is available. But this hospital will focus solely on heart treatment, and the level of expertise here will be unmatched elsewhere.”

On Monday, the Ministry of Health signed a partnership agreement with the Egyptian government to advance heart disease treatment in Rwanda. This collaboration aims to assist Rwanda in acquiring modern medical equipment and increasing the number of specialized heart doctors.

The first services are expected to start in the first quarter of 2026 at the joint heart disease hospital.

Once completed, the hospital will have the capacity to accommodate 1,000 patients with beds, a diagnostic centre with modern equipment, a pharmacy, accommodation for staff, and facilities for heart care and diagnostics.

The project is expected to cost $20 million.

Written by: Donatha UWAJENEZA; Story by Emilienne KAYITESI