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Rwanda to sign agreements with major global medical equipment manufacturers

By Esther Muhozi
On 29 May 2024 at 11:11

According to the Ministry of Health, Rwanda will have signed agreements with major global manufacturers of essential medical equipment by the end of this year, which is expected to reduce their costs. This move is an addition to the country’s current practice of directly purchasing 65% of its medicine and medical supplies from manufacturers, eliminating middlemen.

The management of the state’s agency responsible for the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies indicates that agreements have been made with over 16 types of drug manufacturers, including those within Rwanda, the region, and various continents, to supply Rwanda directly.

Towards the end of 2023, the government intensified efforts to source medicines and medical supplies directly from manufacturers without intermediaries. Medical expert Prof. Stephen Rulisa stated that this initiative will lower healthcare service costs, noting that sometimes 10% of the costs were a significant burden on citizens due to the services provided.

Dr. Abel Dushimimana, the Head of the Association of Private Importers of Medicines and Medical Supplies, mentioned that they have begun organizing themselves to explore ways to also approach these manufacturers.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, noted that since the government started direct negotiations with manufacturers, there have been instances where costs have decreased by up to 50%. He assured private importers that they will also benefit from these opportunities.

Rwanda imports between 3,000 to 4,000 different types of medicines and various medical supplies, with an annual cost exceeding 100 billion Rwandan Francs.


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