Kigali, 26 December 2024

At RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura, Maj Gen Ephrem Rurangwa, Chief of Staff of the Military Health Services (MHS COS), chaired a meeting of military healthcare providers from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) units as well as civilian staff supporting military medical services nationwide.

The meeting discussed among other things the current state of healthcare services and progress in healthcare advancement particularly in the treatment of both RDF personnel and the Rwandan community in general.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, the MHS COS, Maj Gen Ephrem Rurangwa urged participants to enhance their efforts in delivering effective medical services to support the RDF in fulfilling its primary mission.

"Our specific responsibility in this service is to provide initial healthcare to the military personnel, security forces, and their families, as well as the general public. Our duty, therefore, is not limited to those who wear uniforms but extends to the entire nation." He noted.

He further encouraged them to engage in advanced training and adopt modern technology in their daily duties to improve efficiency and provide high-quality healthcare services.

The Deputy MHS COS, Brig Gen John Nkuriye presented the responsibilities of MHS as outlined in Article 19 of RDF Law No. 64/2024, dated 20/06/2024. That is “To provide policy guidance for individual medical training and doctrine health development within the RDF”.

Brig Gen Eugene Ngoga, the Commandant of Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital, highlighted the historical background and progress of Rwanda's military healthcare services since its establishment in 1968 up to date.