Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services and increase the number of specialist doctors have received a boost following a €25 million (about Rwf 42.055 billion) loan from the French Development Agency (AFD).
The financing will support improvements in primary healthcare services and help the country prepare for a growing number of medical specialists expected to graduate under the government’s 4×4 programme, which aims to quadruple the number of specialist doctors within four years.
Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa announced the financing on July 21 while presenting to Parliament a bill seeking approval of the loan agreement between Rwanda and AFD.
Murangwa said part of the funding will support efforts to attract and retain specialist healthcare workers through the 4×4 programme, including preparations for the remuneration of doctors expected to complete their training.
“The objective is to increase the number of specialists working in the health sector, with a focus on attracting and retaining specialist healthcare workers through support for the 4×4 programme,” Murangwa told lawmakers.
The loan will also support the Ministry of Health’s efforts to improve access to quality primary healthcare services across the country.
Areas targeted by the financing include maternal and child health, mental health services, nutrition, emergency medical care, prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, patient referral systems and measures to address health risks linked to climate change.
The investment comes as Rwanda prepares for a significant increase in the number of specialist doctors entering the health system.
Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana told lawmakers in May that doctors trained under the 4×4 programme would begin completing their studies the following year, requiring the government to plan for their deployment and remuneration.
He cited obstetrics and gynaecology as an example, noting that fewer than 25 specialists graduated annually before the programme, compared with 161 expected to complete training in the coming year.
The AFD loan will be repaid over 20 years at an interest rate of 1%, with a five-year grace period before repayments begin.
Separately, Rwanda has received a Rwf 16.358 billion ($11.105 million) grant to support pandemic preparedness and response efforts, strengthening the country’s ability to prevent and manage future disease outbreaks.
