Rwandan Doctors and Medical Students Join Fistula Program

Through the cooperation of the Rwandan Ministry of Health, we are delighted to have four Rwandan doctors training with us in the fistula program. Dr. George Ruzigana, Dr. Victor Mivumbi, Dr. Sadoscar Hakizimana and Dr. Ramses Ramazani are now working alongside our doctors in the Fistula program. Ordinarily, all these doctors work at other hospitals, but join our teams when we are at Kibagabaga Hospital.

After we depart Rwanda, Dr. George visits our post operative patients on a daily basis. Every week, Dr. George sends us a detailed report on all remaining patients. We are so grateful for the updates, and the patients are equally grateful for the care they are being given both by Dr. George and the Kibagabaga nursing staff.

We have been very fortunate to have Rwandan medical students working with us in all aspects of the fistula program. Each student interviews the patients, translates for the examining doctors, bring patients to the operating rooms, observe during surgeries and participate in "rounds" every day, again translating for the attending doctors. The students talk to every single patient, explaining the surgeries and the post operative care including what the patient has to do, or not do, when they leave the hospital. Of course, they also spend time comforting and reassuring the patients. All the students work extremely hard, and are constantly learning. Our team members thoroughly enjoy teaching and working with these very enthusiastic future doctors.

IOWD team members look forward to the continued relationships with Dr. George, Dr. Victor, Dr. Sadoscar and Dr. Ramses and the medical students...they have all added to the building of a successful fistula program.

IOWD is proud to announce that 3 of our medical students have graduated and are officially doctors. We congratulate Dr. Aicha Uwamahoro, Ingrid Freyja-Ngendahayo and Arlette Irakoze and wish them great success in their medical careers!

Pediatrician Michael Yaker had just given Aicha, Ingrid, Arlette and Medical student Miguel Gaskaure a private lesson in pediatric resuscitation. Miguel was practicing the proper procedure on a doll that Dr. Michael had brought to Kibagabaga. Suddenly, someone ran out to tell Dr. Michael that there was an emergency C-section going on and the baby was in trouble. Michael and Miguel quickly ran into the Operating room. Under Dr. Michael's supervision, Miguel successfully resuscitated the infant! It would be a day that medical student Miguel will always remember!

Dr. Michael teaching Miguel how to resuscitate an infant.	Miguel and the doll. Drs. Arlette and Aicha are looking on. Little did Miguel know that he would be resusitating a real baby shortly after this photo was taken!
Dr. Ingrid practicing on doll.	Newly appointed Dr. Aicha, Dr. Arlette and Dr. Ingrid with medical student Miguel being congratulated for their work with IOWD.
A lovely patient, Claudette, with Aicha.	Medical student, Aicha receiving a gift from patient, Kayitesi.
Dr. Parfait, Dr. Eric, Dr. Emmanuel, IOWD Dr. Josh, and Dr. George.	Medical student Maguy, and a patient.
Dr. Victor, Dr. Ramses, Dr. George, Dr. Sadoscar and the Director of Maternity, Dr. Alphonse Butoyi