This photo taken on July 15, 2026 shows the opening ceremony of a traditional Chinese medicine clinic at Kibungo Hospital in Ngoma district, Eastern Province, Rwanda. (Photo: Xinhua)

KIGALI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic has been inaugurated at Kibungo Hospital in eastern Rwanda, marking a new milestone in the long-standing health cooperation between Rwanda and China.

Speaking at the inauguration event on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the clinic represents "another chapter" in bilateral cooperation, building on decades of Chinese medical support at Kibungo Hospital.

Gao noted that the new facility is the second TCM clinic established in a Rwandan hospital, following the one at Masaka Hospital, and will help meet the growing local demand for TCM services.

He added that China is ready to strengthen health cooperation with Rwanda so that traditional Chinese medicine can better benefit more people.

Jean Claude Munyemana, director general of Kibungo Hospital, praised China's continued support, describing the contributions of the Chinese medical team in surgery, anesthesia, critical care, and acupuncture as invaluable.

"I would like to thank the Chinese medical team. They have been working tirelessly to support medical services in anesthesia and critical care, surgery, and acupuncture. We are going to see, and have already observed, the excellent work they are doing. We truly appreciate their dedication and the services they continue to provide," he added.

Since 1982, China has dispatched 26 medical teams to Rwanda, providing daily medical services at Masaka Hospital and Kibungo Hospital.

A member of the 26th Chinese medical team to Rwanda conducts acupuncture for patients at Kibungo Hospital in Ngoma district, Eastern Province, Rwanda, July 15, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)