Rwanda is grappling with a severe shortage of surgeons, with the number of specialists ten times lower than the demand for their services, according to Prof. Faustin Ntirenganya, President of the Rwanda Surgical Society.
Speaking at a press briefing, he highlighted the urgent need to train more specialists, stating that the limited number of surgeons is a significant barrier to providing timely and effective medical care. While the demand for surgical procedures continues to grow, the available workforce remains critically low, with the overall number of doctors in the country four times lower than needed.
The shortage has prompted calls for increased investment in training and infrastructure. Prof. Ntirenganya emphasized the importance of government intervention, particularly through additional funding for medical education. He noted that while some surgeons specialize in specific areas, the need extends across multiple fields, making it crucial to expand the profession.
Efforts to address this gap have been ongoing. One initiative, Operation Smile, introduced cleft surgery in Rwanda in 2009. Initially, American surgeons performed the procedures, but the program later shifted its focus to training local doctors. According to Karima Andrew, head of Operation Smile Rwanda, the long-term goal is to ensure that at least one trained cleft surgeon is available in every district. He explained that sustainability requires equipping Rwandan doctors with the necessary skills to continue providing care even when foreign specialists are absent.
The issue will be a key focus at the upcoming Pan-African Surgical Conference, scheduled to take place in Rwanda from February 24 to 26, 2025. The event will bring together over 300 surgeons from across the continent to discuss strategies for expanding surgical capacity. Rwanda will also showcase its progress in treating conditions such as cleft lip and other surgical needs.
Despite recent improvements, the number of surgeons remains far below the country’s needs. Five years ago, Rwanda had only two dermatologic surgeons; today, there are six. However, the overall count is still low, with only 162 surgeons available nationwide, while at least 1,400 are needed to prevent excessive waiting times for procedures.
As Rwanda works to strengthen its healthcare system, medical experts stress that long-term investment in education, hospital facilities, and government-supported training programs will be essential to closing the gap and ensuring quality surgical care for all.
