On November 15, 2024, the Kabgayi Eye Unit will host an intensive, specialized training program aimed at enhancing the skills of Rwandan eye doctors in handling complex eye surgeries.
This training, the first of its kind in Rwanda, is designed to equip medical professionals with advanced techniques essential for treating severe eye trauma.
Dr. Theophile Tuyisabe, director of the Kabgayi Eye Unit, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: “We will host a group of eight professional eye doctors and train them in advanced skills in eye surgery and wound care. We are blessed that this begins at Kabgayi Eye Unit here in Rwanda.”
The selected doctors come from various provinces across the country, ensuring that the knowledge gained will be shared nationwide.
Dr. Tuyisabe emphasized the importance of this distribution: “This approach ensures that expertise is not centralized in one location but rather, shared across Rwanda. Patients with severe eye injuries will have access to qualified specialists within their regions, minimizing the need for long-distance travel to Kabgayi.”
Hospitals from Kibuye, Ruhengeri, Kibagabaga, Rwamagana, and others will participate in this training program.
The training will be led by Dr. Tuyisabe and Dr. Michael Mikhail and is expected to raise the national standard for eye care and ease the burden on centralized services.
“This training will set a new standard for eye care in Rwanda, ensuring that our professionals are equipped to handle complex cases right where they are needed most,” Dr. Tuyisabe stated.
Regarding future training initiatives, he added, “We anticipate that this training will be held every six months.”
According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 80% of all eye surgeries in Rwanda are currently performed by the Kabgayi Eye Unit.
