The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, has visited the cardiology unit at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, reaffirming support for Rwanda’s efforts to expand access to specialized healthcare.
He was accompanied by WHO Representative to Rwanda Brian Chirombo during the visit on April 20, 2026, which focused on ongoing expansion works and strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Health on priority health projects.
Prof. Janabi commended the hospital’s growing capacity, highlighting the high level of medical expertise and the use of advanced technology in patient care.
“Highly skilled personnel, reliable access to medicines, and modern technology are key pillars of a strong and effective health system,” he said.
King Faisal Hospital has emerged as a key referral center for specialized services that were once sought abroad, including cardiac care, cancer treatment, and other advanced medical procedures.
In 2020, the hospital achieved a major milestone by conducting open-heart surgeries led entirely by Rwandan doctors, reducing reliance on foreign specialists.
In May 2025, it recorded another breakthrough by performing the country’s first minimally invasive heart surgery.
To meet growing demand, the hospital launched a major expansion project on July 22, 2024, aimed at significantly increasing capacity. The project includes an additional 88,000 square meters of infrastructure dedicated to specialized care, with completion expected within two years.
Once finalized, the expansion is projected to triple the hospital’s capacity and further position Rwanda as a regional hub for advanced medical services.
With over 35 years of operation, King Faisal Hospital employs more than 800 staff, including over 600 healthcare professionals and 80 specialist doctors—a workforce expected to grow as services expand.
The hospital also supports 10 provincial hospitals through training and capacity-building, with officials saying the expansion will help reduce the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
Expansion works at King Faisal Hospital (KFH) began in July 2024.
