Article 19 of the RMDC’s regulations mandates the Council to develop methods for evaluating medical practitioners to broaden their knowledge and improve practical skills. The Council is also empowered to issue and revoke licenses and to penalize for professional misconduct.

At the 17th leadership summit, health authorities were encouraged to implement a comprehensive training program for healthcare workers, extending from their initial training through to retirement, and to boost their involvement in medical research. The RMDC has taken the lead by organizing ongoing training sessions, practical experience opportunities, and knowledge exchange for healthcare workers at all levels.

On Thursday, May 25, 2024, the RMDC hosted a meeting in Bugesera District with leaders from major medical and professional associations to introduce the new educational program. This program includes fundamental medical principles such as ethics, patient confidentiality, and professional conduct.

Col. Dr. Afrika Gasana Guido, Chairperson and Spokesperson of the RMDC, highlighted the importance of active participation in the program to improve medical practices, minimize errors, and promote patient involvement in disease prevention. He also emphasized the necessity for healthcare providers to engage with these resources, available on the RMDC’s website, to meet annual licensing requirements.

Furthermore, Col. Dr. Guido appealed to Rwandan medical schools to integrate medical ethics into their curricula, citing the importance of foundational knowledge for producing competent practitioners.

The educational content is supplemented by courses on how to document extraordinary patient survival cases. The rollout of these guidelines has sparked discussions among healthcare providers and stakeholders, who have expressed support and suggested ongoing collaboration to further advance medical education. The Council also plans to engage hospital administrators in dialogues about hospital regulations and training in medical standards and patient care.

The Chairperson and Spokesperson of the Rwanda Medical and Dental Council, Col. Dr. Afrika Gasana Guido.