TCM makes deep inroads in Rwanda

Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills", Rwanda's mountainous terrain shapes daily life for many citizens, who often walk long distances along steep roads that can take a lasting toll on joints, muscles, and overall physical well-being.

This lived reality drives patient demand at Masaka Hospital, one of Rwanda's key referral facilities serving nearly 700,000 people across four districts surrounding Kigali and beyond.

Built between 2009 and 2011 with a grant from the Chinese government, the hospital has now evolved into a regional referral center combining local healthcare delivery with international medical cooperation.

According to Jean Damascene Hanyurwimfura, director general of Masaka Hospital, the transformation has been significantly reinforced through cooperation with the Chinese medical team.

"The Chinese medical team has significantly increased our clinical capacity by providing specialized expertise that allows us to treat a higher volume of patients while maintaining quality and precision," he said.

Among the specialist interventions introduced through the partnership, traditional Chinese medicine attracts almost half of the patients who visit the facility on a daily basis. At the TCM center, more than 150 patients are treated regularly, with most seeking care for lower back pain, stiffness, and degenerative joint conditions.

Sought-after therapy

Acupuncture, which uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body, is among the most sought-after therapies.

It is the restoration of movement that often leaves the strongest impression, with clinicians noting that patients once unable to walk due to stiffness have gradually regained mobility and returned to their daily routines after treatment, said Doctor Nirite, TCM team leader and acupuncture specialist at Masaka Hospital.

Hanyurwimfura noted that patients have responded positively, particularly to acupuncture and improved surgical services, reflecting growing trust in the hospital's expanded capabilities.

Innovation at Masaka Hospital is not limited to outpatient care as the Chinese and Rwandan medical teams have jointly introduced integrated maternity care combining modern obstetrics with selected elements of TCM.

Supported through breathing techniques, relaxation methods and continuous physical and emotional care designed to reduce labor pain without heavy reliance on conventional painkillers, women have safely delivered under this approach.

The collaboration extends beyond hospital walls, with outreach programs delivering screening, diagnosis and treatment to surrounding communities, alongside mentorship sessions that strengthen skills in surgical safety, emergency response and life support.