Empowering rural clinicians: Lifesaving healthcare for Rwandan women

In Rwanda, World Telehealth Initiative’s new program is set to revolutionize women's healthcare, tackling critical issues like OB/GYN surgical care and breast cancer through the power of telehealth and expert collaboration. Through a hub-and-spoke network, medical specialists at Rwanda Military Hospital in Kigali will support rural clinics through telehealth and an integrated ultrasound. This innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between specialized expertise and remote clinics, ultimately saving lives and improving women’s health outcomes across the region.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 48,000 deaths annually. World Telehealth Initiative’s new program aims to address the high mortality rates, which are partly due to the scarcity of breast cancer surgeons and the lack of screening. The country’s only breast oncologist will assist providers at remote clinics with conducting breast cancer screenings. Using telehealth and ultrasound, the oncologists will teach local providers how to identify patients needing further care or surgery in Kigali. After surgery, breast cancer patients need up to five follow-up visits to ensure proper healing. The breast oncologist’s expertise is amplified by continuing to guide local providers during follow-ups, ensuring quality post-surgery care.

Maternal mortality rates are high in Rwanda, and postpartum hemorrhaging accounts for nearly a third of maternal deaths. Providers at rural clinics often lack the training to care for hemorrhaging women, leading to fatalities. WTI is working to address this issue by equipping rural clinicians to manage postpartum hemorrhage. Clinicians will learn to stabilize hemorrhaging women, ensuring they can either be safely transferred to Kigali or continue receiving care at the clinic. A surgical OB/GYN specialist at the Military Hospital in Kigali is spearheading these efforts.

By fostering collaboration between local healthcare providers and international experts, the program aims to improve women’s health outcomes. Our partners at the Military Hospital are dedicated to changing the statistics around women’s health, and we look forward to help achieve their vision for a healthier Rwanda.