Rwanda is preparing to introduce specialised healthcare services for older people as the country responds to a rising life expectancy and a growing ageing population.
Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana announced the move during a joint session of Parliament on government efforts to strengthen economic development and improve citizens’ welfare.
He said improvements in healthcare have significantly increased life expectancy in Rwanda, creating the need for dedicated medical services tailored to the needs of older citizens.
According to Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s life expectancy is expected to reach 80 years by 2030, meaning the number of elderly people will continue to grow.
“Growing old is not a problem; it is something positive for society. That is why we have started preparing the services that older people will need,” he said.
The new service, known as geriatrics, will provide specialised healthcare for people aged 60 and above, similar to how paediatrics focuses on children’s health.
Nsanzimana said Rwanda has already trained doctors specialising in geriatric care, who are expected to begin offering services and support the training of more healthcare professionals in the field.
“We started training specialists who care for older people. We now have Rwandan doctors who have completed their training and have started training others,” he said.
The initiative is aimed at helping older citizens access appropriate healthcare, live longer, healthier lives and remain active within their communities.
The Minister said the focus should not only be on increasing life expectancy but also on ensuring that people age in good health and maintain their ability to participate in social and economic activities.
He encouraged older people to embrace physical exercise and healthy lifestyles as key ways of maintaining strength and independence.
“It is about exercise and taking care of one’s health so that age becomes just a number. Someone should be able to reach 80, carry their grandchildren and still play football with them,” Nsanzimana said.
The introduction of geriatric services comes as Rwanda joins a growing number of countries adapting their health systems to address the needs of ageing populations.
