Kigali - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Health wise, there can be problems with malaria. We choose to take malaria prophylactics. Many people do just well with mosquito repellents and sleeping under treated nets. Medical care is basic. King Faisal Hospital is a private hospital that is said to provide good quality services. whenever medevac is needed, South Africa is the medevac point. - Oct 2023
This is a malaria post. - Aug 2023
Medical care isn’t good here. Medivac is recommended for surgery, ultrasounds, birth of a child, etc. I was able to get my son an x-ray and it was quite the experience but the embassy med unit helps to set it up and liaise for you. The embassy health unit is AMAZING. I can’t say enough good things about them. They care and are so accommodating. - Jan 2022
Rwanda is a high-risk malaria country, and most (if not all) of the bodies of water have schistosomiasis (aka snail fever), so it's best not to go swimming anywhere except at pools in Kigali. The quality of medical care in Rwanda definitely leaves something to be desired, and if your injury/health issue doesn't qualify you--or for some reason you aren't able--to be flown to Pretoria, brace yourself. Try to avoid going to Medi-Health (even if the health unit staff wants you to); the facility is of very poor quality, and the medical professionals are not professional. King Faisal is passable, and they do have an MRI machine and an x-ray machine, as well as more competent medical professionals than those at Medi-Health. - Jul 2020
Medical care is limited. The system does really well for basic things, even at the rural village level, but if your problem requires an expensive piece of machinery, there's probably only one device in the whole country. There are some options that can decently cater to Westerners. A friend broke a collarbone and had emergency surgery here and recovered fine. Several friends got malaria and recovered fine. - Sep 2019
King Faisal Hospital is the premier hospital in Kigali, and they have many issues. Most everything requires a med evac. - Jun 2018
There is some medical care, but most serious situations require a medevac to Pretoria. Malaria is a risk, though not terrible in Kigali. Bilharzia is present in fresh water.
There is an Indian run optometry set up that is ok, and several foreign and local dentists though many people medically evacuate for dental issues. - Dec 2017
Local health care is very limited. Most medical conditions that can't be treated at the embassy health unit require evacuation. Malaria is a concern here, and most people take a prophylaxis. - Jan 2017
Medical care on local market is not good at all so if med unit can't help you, you are medevac'd to Pretoria. - Apr 2016
No real health concerns. It is a malaria post and the health unit supplies those meds. Come stocked with neosporin and other over the counter stuff as you won't find American brands locally. - Oct 2014
Medical care is not good here. If anything happens you'll be medevac'd out. - Jul 2014
Malaria, but my family and I do not take the meds. Knock on wood. - Sep 2013
Health care is extremely limited. For anything worse than the flu or a sprained ankle, expect to spend time in Johannesburg or Nairobi. - May 2012
Malaria is present, but I know of many people who do not take the meds. There are a few dentists who are decent for basic care. Other than that, outside of our Health Unit... good luck. There are frequent medevacs to South Africa. - Apr 2012
If you swim in the lake water, make sure you get tested for schisto. Malaria is still around, and people tend to get complacent about taking their meds. King Faisel Hospital is the largest one in Kigali, and I think they are accredited now. There are various clinics throughout the country that are doing the best they can, but they would not be able to take care of a large problem, such as a traffic accident, heart attack, etc. - Jul 2011
Malaria and yellow fever shots are needed. Watch out for the schistosomaisis, it will kill you dead. - Oct 2010
Health Concerns? After three years we aren't sure what we have. But we are a lot more tired and worn out than when we arrived. Oh and stay out of the fresh water lakes, they carry Schistomiasis. At least Malaria isn't much of a concern. Don't drink the tap water, of course. - Jan 2010
Poor services available, best to have soem sort of evac insurance if you can afford it. - Sep 2008
King Faisal is Rwanda's main hospital for visitors. Limited specialist such as pediatrics, OB/Gyn, radiologist, dental, and general surgery. Lack specialties such as Emergency medicine, Internist, Cardiology, and Neurologist. X-rays and CT Scan is available. Malaria, TB, Gastro-intestinal diseases are the biggest concerns. - Aug 2008
