A specialized facility dedicated to the treatment of ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions has been inaugurated at Kibungo Hospital in Ngoma District. Constructed at a cost of more than RWF 601 million, the center is expected to significantly improve access to specialized healthcare services for patients suffering from ENT-related illnesses.
The facility was officially inaugurated on June 10, 2026. It was established through a partnership with Fondation Héron, an international organization that supports the treatment and prevention of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases.
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Project Aims to Strengthen Early Intervention and Specialized Care
Construction of the center began in 2022 with the objective of providing specialized care for patients with ENT conditions while placing particular emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment among children. The initiative seeks to reduce the prevalence of ENT-related diseases in Rwanda and improve long-term health outcomes.
Built on an area of 370 square meters, the facility consists of three main sections, including a reception area, consultation spaces for medical staff, and outdoor areas where patients can relax while awaiting services.
Modern Infrastructure and Advanced Medical Equipment
The center is equipped with a wide range of facilities designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services. These include patient waiting areas, a pharmacy, consultation rooms, two treatment rooms for minor eye conditions, one eye surgery room, two ENT consultation rooms, and three audiology examination rooms fitted with advanced hearing assessment technology.
Additional facilities include doctors’ offices, storage rooms, patient and staff restrooms, pediatric care rooms, and training rooms for healthcare professionals.
Fondation Héron Highlights Mission to Support Children’s Health
Speaking to MUHAZIYACU, Fondation Héron Director Jonathan Abittan said the organization’s mission is to ensure that children receive treatment for eye, ear, nose and throat conditions at an early stage. He explained that the foundation, working closely with Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, seeks to address these health challenges by introducing modern medical technologies and strengthening healthcare services.
“Our primary objective is to assist young children affected by eye, ear, nose and throat diseases that can have long-term consequences if left untreated. We want to eliminate these diseases entirely. By ensuring that children receive treatment early, many can reach the age of 15 without suffering from these conditions. Although specialized doctors remain limited in number, treating these illnesses at an early stage reduces the burden on healthcare professionals and allows them to focus on other patients,” he said.
Abittan also noted that Rwanda’s supportive working environment provides favorable conditions for the foundation to achieve its goals.
Eastern Province Leaders Welcome the Initiative
The Governor of the Eastern Province, Pudence Rubingisa, described the inauguration as a significant milestone, emphasizing that the facility will benefit not only residents of the Eastern Province but also patients from neighboring countries, including Tanzania and Burundi.
“This inauguration is of great importance to us. We are grateful to this organization for choosing to work in Rwanda. The number of children requiring healthcare services remains high while specialized doctors are still few. Their support in training young doctors and providing infrastructure such as this facility is highly commendable. Kibungo Hospital has become a teaching hospital, and the contribution they are making through knowledge transfer is something we greatly value,” he said.
Rubingisa added that although the Eastern Province has 11 referral hospitals, establishing the center in Kibungo is particularly beneficial because it serves patients from several districts as well as neighboring countries. He noted that the introduction of these specialized services will further strengthen healthcare delivery across the region.
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Ministry of Health Commends Partners
The Director General of Health Quality Services Standards and Regulation at Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntihumbya, who attended the inauguration ceremony, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the project.
“We have been waiting for this project for a long time, and our partnership with Fondation Héron has been extremely productive. We appreciate everyone working tirelessly to improve the well-being of our citizens. The availability of specialized treatment for ear, nose and throat conditions at this hospital is a major achievement. Residents of this province will no longer need to travel to Kigali to seek treatment for many of these conditions, as they will now be able to access services here,” he said.
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Investment Exceeds RWF 601 Million
The facility was completed at a total cost of RWF 601,054,413. Of this amount, RWF 450,919,962 was allocated to construction works, while RWF 150,134,457 was spent on medical equipment procurement and staff remuneration.
The investment represents a major step forward in expanding access to specialized healthcare services and strengthening Rwanda’s capacity to diagnose, treat and prevent ear, nose and throat diseases.
