The Ministry of Health has announced that starting by next year the University Teaching hospital of Kigali (CHUK) will relocate to the new premises located at Masaka hospital, Kicukiro district by early 2020 with an estimate of $100M expenditure of renovation since its establishment in 1918.
The old CHUK was constructed in 1918 and started to operate in 1928 as a health Centre and became a hospital in 1965.
From April 1994 to 1996, the CHUK has served as a health centre, a district hospital and as a referral hospital as well.
According to the city master plan, CHUK’s current location that stood opposite Kigali Serena Hotel is designated for apartments. Thus, the buildings of the hospital were also archaic, old and congested to accommodate a big number of patients.
The University teaching hospital of Kigali/CHUK is the largest in District of Nyarugenge. It is also the biggest referral hospital in the country.
The idea of the relocation of CHUK from Nyarugenge to Masaka came early 2013 due to its trafficked location in the central area of the business.
Kayumba Malick, the Ministry of Health, Spokesperson, said, the Construction is scheduled to last for three-years from 2020 to 2023.
“Chinese sponsors are looking for a construction firm to take up the $100M project. The new construction will bring more 837 sick-beds and more other modern facilities,” he said.
Dr Diane Gashumba, Minister of Health, while addressing the Public Account Committee on the launch of the financial year 2019/2020 June, this year, said, there was the delay in the implementation of the project due that the deal is run by China and Rwanda hence a lag as both countries took time to give out the masterplan of the expansion activities.
CHUK is one of the referral hospitals that accommodate a big number of patients with 70% are being transferred here which most of them use Mituelle de Sante.
Masaka hospital is usually in its daily activities sponsored by China, the country which will also finance the project.
The Express News
