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The Minister of Defence, Hon Juvenal Marizamunda, today officiated the opening ceremony of the inaugural cohort of the Defence College of Health Sciences (DCHS) at the Rwanda Military Academy–Gako, marking an important milestone in strengthening specialised military medical education and professional development within the Rwanda Defence Force.

In his remarks, Minister Marizamunda said the new institution is intended to integrate military knowledge with advanced medical practice and prepare military health professionals for diverse operational environments.

“The Defence College of Health Sciences is designed to bridge the gap between military science and clinical excellence. It will serve as the premier centre of gravity for specialised military medical education, tailoring clinical competencies to both peacetime care and austere combat environments,” he said.

The Minister added that the establishment of the College demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare available to service members.

“The establishment of this college is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that our service members receive the highest standard of medical education and care,” he said.

He further highlighted the College’s role in research, innovation and leadership development in military medicine, saying it will serve as a centre for advanced medical training and a beacon of research and innovation, cultivating leaders who will advance knowledge and improve the health outcomes of troops.

Minister Marizamunda noted that strengthening military medical education will contribute to operational readiness by ensuring medical personnel are prepared to respond effectively to the evolving needs of the armed forces. Addressing the first cohort of students, he described them as pioneers of the new institution and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. “You are the pioneers, the first to step into this noble institution. Your decision to serve your country through military health service is commendable, and I assure you that the path ahead will be both challenging and rewarding,” he told the students.

Yeshigeta Gelaw, Principal of the Defence College of Health Sciences, highlighted the institution’s role in developing competent military health professionals, with emphasis on academic excellence, professional competence, research and innovation. “Today, we are not merely opening a new college. We are actually launching a new paradigm for Rwanda: excellence in education, service, research and innovation. We step into the future with a very big, bold and unapologetic ambition to establish this institution as one of the premier College of Health Sciences in Africa, said Mr. Galaw

The opening of the Defence College of Health Sciences marks a new chapter in Rwanda’s military health education, providing a platform for developing specialised capabilities that contribute to the wellbeing of service members and the operational readiness of the Rwanda Defence Force.