The University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) has installed its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, becoming the first public hospital outside Kigali to offer the advanced diagnostic service and marking a major step toward decentralising specialised healthcare in Rwanda.
CHUB Director General Dr Christian Ngarambe announced the development on Sunday, February 8, 2026, during celebrations marking the International Patients’ Day held at the hospital in Huye District.
The event brought together patients, healthcare workers, partners, religious leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on patient welfare, service quality and recent improvements in healthcare delivery. As part of the celebrations, the hospital also distributed gifts to patients.
Dr Ngarambe said the installation of the MRI machine, alongside other modern medical equipment, will significantly reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to access specialised diagnostic services.
“This MRI machine is being introduced for the first time in a public hospital outside Kigali, and we will begin using it from February 9,” he said. “More than 75 percent of the patients we previously referred to other hospitals were sent for MRI examinations. We expect these referrals to reduce drastically.”
CHUB has also acquired additional equipment, including a cancer treatment unit, trauma care technology, maternal health diagnostic tools, and breast cancer screening equipment. According to hospital management, the new facilities are expected to improve early detection, accuracy of diagnosis and timely treatment of complex conditions.
Dr Ngarambe commended the Government of Rwanda for prioritising investments in health infrastructure and medical technology.
“We thank the President of the Republic and the Government of Rwanda for placing citizens at the centre of service delivery. These investments allow patients to receive care closer to home,” he said.
He added that CHUB is already providing specialised services such as cancer treatment and dialysis for kidney patients, noting that the inclusion of these services under the community-based health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé) has eased the financial burden on patients.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, CHUB received medical equipment worth more than Rwf 12 billion, a development hospital officials say will strengthen its role as a referral centre for the Southern Province and neighbouring regions.
Health experts say the installation of MRI services outside Kigali is expected to improve access to advanced diagnostics, reduce patient congestion in the capital and contribute to better health outcomes through timely and accurate medical care.
