Bachelor of Medicine and Sugery (MBChB)
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Gitwe prepares future physicians through rigorous academic training, early clinical exposure, innovative research, and community-centered healthcare. Our mission is to develop competent, ethical, and compassionate medical professionals who will improve healthcare in Rwanda and beyond.
Excellence in Medical Education
Perspective
The Rwanda population still faces significant morbidity and mortality, and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III, outlines the priority health needs of the Rwanda.
The curriculum of this program was recently reviewed in response to the global need to produce an increased number of quality medical graduates that are required to promote equity in health care provision, and to be more socially accountable to the Rwandan population.
Programme Rationale
The programme of General Medicine and Surgery is designed to train competent, ethical, and patient centered medical doctors for a successful career as General Practitioners. The curriculum integrates theoretical, module-based learning, structured clinical rotations, and a dissertation component, thereby equipping students with the essential competencies, skills, and knowledge required for safe and effective medical practice.
Rwanda continues to face a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, with the doctor-to-population ratio standing at 1:8,592 which is far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 1:1,000 (Response to the East African Article on Rwanda’s Maternal Mortality Rates, 2025). This severe gap places significant strain on the national health system and restricts access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The establishment of this programme is therefore a strategic response to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, both in Rwanda and across the region.
The programme is fully aligned with national and sectoral development priorities, including the Rwanda Strategy for Transformation (2024–2029) and the Health Sector Strategic Plan V (2025–2029), which emphasize expanding access to healthcare services while improving their quality. medical doctors.
Moreover, the programme supports the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s 4×4 Reform Strategy (approved in July 2023), which aims to quadruple the national healthcare workforce within four years by simultaneously increasing the quantity and enhancing the quality of trained health professionals (The 4×4 Reform: A Path to Quality Health Care in Rwanda, 2025).
The overarching aim of the programme is to educate and train to the highest professional and ethical standards, preparing them to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care as competent General Practitioners. Graduates will be able to identify, analyze, and address fundamental questions in disease mechanisms, prevention, and treatment, as well as in healthcare delivery and the biomedical sciences. Additionally, the programme seeks to cultivate a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and critical inquiry while fostering international collaboration to advance medical practice and contribute to sustainable health system strengthening.
Program Goal
To produce graduates who have appropriate competencies to address the health needs of the individual, family and the community in Rwanda, the region and globally.
The MBChB Graduate:
The program is designed to produce doctors who have the following competencies:
Medical Knowledge
Clinical Skills and Patient Care
Critical inquiry and scientific method
Professionalism and ethical practice
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Leadership & Management
Population Health Skills
Continuous Improvement of Care through Reflective Practice
Health Systems Management
Faculty of Medicine at a Glance
Discover the key strengths that define the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Gitwe, a community committed to excellence in medical education, clinical training, research, and service to society.
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Academic Excellence
6 Years
A tradition of preparing healthcare professionals through quality medical education and competency-based training..
Medical Education
100+ Students
A diverse community of medical students receiving comprehensive training in biomedical sciences and clinical practice.
Clinical Training
20+ Clinical Partners
Hands-on learning experiences through hospitals and healthcare facilities that prepare students for real-world medical practice.
Research & Community Impact
20+ Projects
Advancing healthcare through research, innovation, and community health initiatives.
Study Load
Total Credit Units (CU) a student must take to quality for the degree award are 246, where;
Faculty Members & Administration
Faculty Dean: | Dr. MUSONI Emile – Clinical Pathology |
Programme Development Team | |
Name | Institution |
Dr. ONGONDORILE NIYI MBBS, MMed Histopathology | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Dr. Joseph Ogirima Ovosi, MBBS, PGD, Chief Consultant Physician Nigerian Defense, WHO/Tropical Disease | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Prof. ADENEYE, Adejuwon Adewale, MB BS, Msc, PhD Pharmacology | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Prof. ABIODUM ADEBAYO | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Dr. Faustin UWIZEYIMANA,Msc, PhD Information Technology | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science | |
Dr. Janvier MUKIZA, PhD Biochemistry | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Dr. Olivier URAYENEZA, MD, MMed Surgery | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Dr. OLALEKAN Olaleye Emmanuel MBBS, MMed Obstetrics & Gynecology | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Dr. Edouard UWAMAHORO, MD, MMed Anestisiology | UoG Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
Mrs. INGABIRE, Vanith | Library Representative, University of Gitwe |
Mr. DUSENGIMANA Jean de Dieu | CIT centre representative, University of Gitwe |
Programme Validation Team | |
Name | Institution |
Prof. Sahar G. Elbager, PhD | University of Medical Science and Technology (UMST) |
Prof. Florence Masaisa MD, PhD Biomedical (Hematologist in internal Medicine) | University of Rwanda (UR)/ CHUK |
Mrs. Vivianne UMUHIRE NIYONKURU, Analyst | Ministry of Health (MoH) |
Prof. Belson RUGWIZANGOGA MD, MMed (Pathology), PhD Pathology | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Richard NDUWAYEZU, | University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (UR-CMHS) |
Dr. RWANDEMA Joseph, PhD Education | University of Gitwe (UoG) |
Dr. Justin BAYISENGA, MD, MMed General Surgery | CHUB |
Dr. HABITUZA Benjamin, MD | Director General of Gitwe Hospital |
IKITO Alain Patrice, PhD Finance | University of Gitwe (UoG) |
Dr. Osee Sebatunzi Rurambya | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Jean Claude Mugisha, MD Medical education and training | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Prof. Ijeoma B. Anumaka, Prof in Education Management and Planning | University of Gitwe |
Dr. Louis Mujyuwisha, MD, Preventive and community Health | Partners in Health / University of Global Health Equity |
Dr. Leopold Bitunguhari, MD, MMed Internal Medicine (Cardiologist) | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Elie Nziyomaze, MBChB, Ocularplastic, MMed Public Health | Kabgayi Teaching Level 2 Hospital |
Dr. Theodomir Sebazungu | University of Global Health Equity(UGHE) |
Dr. Gift Crucifix Pender, Msc, PhD Medical Biotechnology (Pharmacology and Toxicology) | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Rasheel Adeyemo | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Akainyewe Ime PhD Physiology | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Mr Emile MUNYANEZA Msc, Microbiology | University of Gitwe (UoG) |
Dr. Abdulah Mohammed , MD Anatomy | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Abdul-Rabutt A- Feyrtini PhD Anatomy | University of Rwanda (UR) |
Dr. Akeem Okesina Msc, PhD Human Anatomy | University of Rwanda (UR) |