STORY: Expansion of Chinese-built hospital completed in northern Rwanda
DATELINE: Oct. 5, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:41
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Butaro Hospital
2. various of the completion ceremony
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SABIN NSANZIMANA, Rwandan Minister of Health
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAURICE MUGABOWAGAHUNDE, Governor of the Northern Province

STORYLINE:

A newly revamped hospital, constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was officially commissioned Tuesday in Burera District in northern Rwanda.

The Butaro Level II Teaching Hospital, which was expanded from 150 beds to 256 beds, now features upgraded emergency, intensive care, imaging, and oncology facilities.

The hospital catered to a population of almost 350,000 before the renovation and expansion. With the hospital's capacity now increased, however, it will be better equipped to accommodate the growing population and function as a teaching facility for health professionals from the University of Global Health Equity and other schools.

Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana said that the hospital would enable the local community to access healthcare without having to travel as far as Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, for medical care.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SABIN NSANZIMANA, Rwandan Minister of Health
"This is an important milestone in access to healthcare services because this hospital today has received 100 more beds, which means we're going to treat more people. But more importantly, it has acquired new services, like an emergency department, imaging (department), ICU, and cancer oncology for children and adults. But also, (in terms of) teaching and research aspects that are coming up with this, it (has) become also university teaching hospital in rural areas, which means access to healthcare is not limited to urban cities. So for us, as Ministry of Health, it's an example that we are not (only) focusing on cities to provide services to the communities, but also those who are far, in rural areas, can also access the best healthcare."

He commended the high-quality infrastructure and expressed appreciation for the architects and engineers who worked on the project, noting that the hospital represents a symbol of friendship and partnership.

Maurice Mugabowagahunde, governor of Northern Province, which exercises jurisdiction over Burera District, said that the hospital marks not only the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication but also symbolizes a new era in healthcare for the province.

Mugabowagahunde expressed gratitude to the Chinese company responsible for building the hospital and praised the expansion of the facility, which now includes more space, additional services and more rooms to accommodate patients from the region and beyond.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAURICE MUGABOWAGAHUNDE, Governor of the northern province
"Allow me first to thank the Chinese Company who built this wonderful hospital we are seeing today. Second, the expansion of this hospital is another additional value of the services offered here. Now we have big space, more services, more rooms, and the hospital can now receive more people from the region, but also international patients who seek the services that are offered here."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)