Rwanda has 29 ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, a number that remains too low to meet demand for treatment, while the high cost of care makes specialist services inaccessible to some patients.
Across the country, patients suffer from conditions including hearing loss, breathing difficulties and problems swallowing. Others have growths that require surgery or other specialised treatment.
Patients seeking care say access to appropriate treatment can be difficult, with some receiving only temporary relief. Delays in accessing specialists can worsen their conditions and, in some cases, lead to permanent disabilities.
Rwanda’s number of ENT specialists has increased from just two in 1997 to 29 today, but the available workforce remains insufficient to meet the needs of the population.
Dr Kayitesi Batamuriza Mukara, head of the association of researchers specialising in ear, nose, throat, head and neck conditions, said the challenge was growing as the number of patients increased while specialists remained scarce.
“Ear and throat conditions can often be treated at health centres when they are mild. This means trained nurses can manage them if they have received the appropriate training. However, many patients now seek treatment at higher-level health facilities, increasing the number of people requiring specialist care,” she said.
The shortage is particularly pronounced in some parts of the country. The Eastern Province, which has a population of more than three million, has only one ENT specialist, out of the 29 available nationwide.
Dr Menelas Nkeshimana, who oversees health workforce training and development, told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) that the Ministry of Health plans to increase the number of specialists through the 4×4 health workforce initiative, which aims to quadruple the country’s health workforce within four years.
“The 4×4 programme has managed to double the number of students enrolling in this field. Training takes between four and five years, which means the number of professionals able to treat these conditions is expected to increase in the coming years,” he said.
The government introduced the 4×4 programme in July 2023 to expand the health workforce and improve access to medical services. It seeks to increase the number of doctors, nurses, midwives, medical specialists and other health professionals trained annually from about 2,000 to between 6,000 and 8,000.
Increasing the number of students pursuing medical training, particularly in ENT care, is expected to help bridge the gap between patients and specialists and improve access to timely, appropriate treatment.
