The project, funded by the Chinese government, is the largest grant aid project undertaken by China in Rwanda to date, and is expected to significantly strengthen Rwanda’s capacity to provide specialised healthcare, medical training and research.
The expansion has transformed the hospital from 6,389 square metres to 56,957 square metres, while its bed capacity has increased from 127 to 837. The facility now includes 13 buildings, 22 operating theatres and can accommodate up to 2,000 outpatient visits per day.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, described the occasion as a major milestone for the country’s health sector.
“It’s a special day for us, of course, as the government of Rwanda, but also as the health sector to be here receiving officially the newly constructed hospital known as Masaka Hospital,” Nsanzimana said.
The minister said the new facility, combined with the existing Masaka District Hospital next door, brings the total capacity of the complex to more than 800 beds, making it the largest hospital facility in Rwanda.
“The new one only has more than 700 beds, it’s the largest, because the one we had in Rwanda with the highest number of beds capacity had 500,” he said.
Minister Nsanzimana said the hospital is expected to provide high-level medical services not only to Rwandans but also to patients from other countries.
“So we expect this to be a hub for medicine in Africa and beyond through the friendship and partnership in Rwanda and in China,” he said.
The facility is also expected to become the new home of the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, as preparations are underway to transfer services to the new campus.
The minister said the hospital will also provide a platform for medical research and the use of advanced technologies, including possibilities for doctors in Rwanda to work remotely with specialists in other countries.
“Earlier today, I was discussing with the ambassador how a doctor in Beijing, a doctor in another place far from here, will be conducting surgery with a doctor in this building,” Nsanzimana said. “That is how you can connect people even remotely with technology.”
He added that Chinese doctors are expected to work alongside Rwandan health professionals at the facility.
“We are moving in here. We’ll see doctors from China coming to work here. There’s already a team of doctors here,” he said.
China pledges continued support
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda H.E Gao Wenqi described the handover as both an achievement in China-Rwanda practical cooperation and a new milestone in the two countries’ long-standing friendship.
Gao recalled that the China-aided hospital was initially put into operation in 2011, before its expansion and renovation project was agreed upon during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Rwanda in 2018.
“Fifteen years have passed through trials and hardships, and today we are writing a new chapter of progress,” H.E Gao said.
He described the transformation of the hospital as “comprehensive and historical,” saying its improved facilities and service capacity could enable it to develop into a regional medical hub serving East Africa and the wider continent.
“With its advanced facilities, comprehensive functions, and strong teaching capacity, I believe the new hospital will not only become one of the largest comprehensive teaching hospitals, but also gradually grow into a regional medical hub,” H.E Gao said.
The ambassador said the project represents more than a modern healthcare facility, describing it as “a landmark symbol of China and Rwanda standing together in solidarity and sharing a common future.”
He also linked the project to Rwanda’s Vision 2050, particularly its ambitions to strengthen the healthcare system and improve citizens’ well-being.
Looking ahead, H.E Ambassador Gao said China will continue supporting Rwanda through the new hospital in three key areas: medical cooperation, development of healthcare professionals and technology-driven cooperation.
He said China plans to work with Rwanda to establish a collaborative medical centre by promoting the integration of management, technology and medical services, while supporting the introduction of advanced equipment and development of medical disciplines.
China will also continue training Rwandan medical and public health professionals through long-term support, training programmes and clinical mentorship, H.E Gao said.
The two countries will further explore cooperation in medical science and technology, with the aim of strengthening Rwanda’s public health system and advancing medical research, healthcare services and disease prevention.
Gao formally handed over the facility as what he described as a “head-of-state gift” from the Chinese people to the people of Rwanda.
“Completion and handover marks the successful conclusion of the project’s construction phase, and more importantly, represents a brand-new starting point for China-Rwanda health cooperation,” he said.
The handover marks another milestone in the growing China-Rwanda partnership, with the expanded Masaka Hospital expected to contribute to specialised healthcare, medical education, research and technology in Rwanda and potentially across the Great Lakes region.
Minister Nsanzimana expressed gratitude for the Chinese investment and said Rwanda looks forward to expanding cooperation in health.
“We expect this hospital to be a symbol of the high-quality medical care we can provide in Rwanda, in Africa, working together as two nations,” he said.
