Rwanda has four specialists in ophthalmology focusing on surgery, who are the first to receive training inside the country since their predecessors have been receiving the training abroad.
The graduates Concluded their studies on October the 13th at RIIO (Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology) in a ceremony that coincided with the University’s ten years anniversary.
The graduates: Dr. Emmanuel Nsengiyumva, Moïse Habineza, Amani Mugisha Fidèle and Jean Pierre Byukusenge closed their studies after spending four years at RIIO. This means that there are now 24 Ophthalmologists in the country; including 19 Rwandans.
Ass. Prof. John Nkurikiye, one of the founders of the Ophthalmology School in Rwanda says that the doctors will solve the issue of people who are blind due to old age.
“The four graduates are going to increase the numbers, because we had only 20 ophthalmologists. In Rwanda, if you consider 100 blind people, at least 56% of them are old people yet the disease can be treated. 30% of blindness can be prevented if you are diagnosed early,” Said Nkurikiye.
Statistics show that about 12,000 people in Rwanda should undergo old age related surgery, but only 6,000 undergo it due to the lack of doctors.
Dr. Moses Habineza who is among the graduates says that what he prioritized and benefited from was helping Rwandans with eye surgery.
“There are many things you have to deal with when you are done with your studies, especially cataract because it is one of the diseases that Rwandans are facing and that can be prevented if there are doctors. Those who have this disease get treated and recover”, Habineza said.
Dr. Habineza adds that dispite the fact that a number of ophthalmologists in Rwanda is still small, there’s another problem concerning surgery since one can be an ophthalmologist but not able to operate.
Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, The Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for the Education of Health Workers, eulogizes Rwanda for the milestone of having been able to train the first ophthalmologists and says it will help in the fight against eye diseases.
“Eye diseases in adults and children are common diseases and their completion will put doctors in a position to treat them anywhere in the clinic”, Ndimubanzi said adding those who completed the studies will contribute to the work ophthalmologists do to find people and treat them wherever they are.
