In a major leap for Rwanda’s healthcare sector, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the country will acquire its first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner before the end of 2025.
This advanced imaging technology will significantly enhance the nation’s ability to diagnose and treat complex diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders.Currently, Rwanda relies on technologies such as X-rays, Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI for diagnostic imaging.
While these are essential tools, they are limited in their ability to detect diseases at a molecular level. PET scanning, on the other hand, involves injecting the patient with small amounts of radioactive substances that target affected tissues.
These tracers accumulate in diseased areas, allowing physicians to detect abnormalities that other imaging methods might miss. This is particularly crucial in cancer care, where precise identification of tumors can guide effective treatment while preserving healthy tissues.
Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, made this announcement during a presentation to the Parliament’s Budget and National Patrimony Committee. He emphasized that all preliminary requirements for the PET scanner’s installation have been completed and that delivery is expected within the 2025 calendar year.
He also noted that other advanced equipment such as CT and MRI scanners have recently been supplied to major hospitals across the country, including King Faisal Hospital, CHUK, CHUB, and the Rwanda Military Hospital in Kanombe.
To decentralize high-level medical services, Rwanda is also expanding diagnostic infrastructure to regional hospitals.
Facilities in Kabgayi, Kibungo, and Kibuye will soon be equipped with high-capacity imaging tools, reducing the need for patients to travel to Kigali for specialized treatment. Additionally, three more MRI machines are expected to be operational in Kigali within the next two weeks.The PET scanner is a key part of Rwanda’s broader plan to introduce nuclear medicine services.
These efforts are aligned with the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen healthcare systems and address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. In 2023 alone, Rwanda recorded over 5,400 new cancer cases. To support this development, Rwanda is also working on establishing a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Bugesera District, which will house nuclear medicine units and contribute to local production of radiopharmaceuticals.
The Ministry of Health has been allocated Rwf 333.5 billion in the 2025/2026 national budget, an increase from Rwf 330.2 billion in the previous year. Of this, Rwf 16.5 billion will be directed specifically towards purchasing medical equipment.
The introduction of PET technology and investment in nuclear medicine mark a transformative chapter in Rwanda’s healthcare journey. With these developments, the country is setting a regional benchmark in early diagnosis and advanced medical care.
