The initiative, which kicked off on Monday, February 9, 2026, brings together local medical specialists and visiting international experts in neurosurgery, neurology and anesthesia. Over the course of one week, the team is performing epilepsy surgeries on selected patients whose seizures have failed to respond to conventional medication.

On the first day of the training camp , doctors successfully operated on a patient who had lived with epilepsy for more than a decade despite long-term treatment. Specialists explained that the seizures originated from a specific section of the brain, which was surgically addressed following advanced diagnostic imaging.

Health professionals say the launch of the training camp fills a long-standing gap in Rwanda’s healthcare system. Previously, epilepsy management relied largely on medication, leaving patients who required surgery with limited options and, in many cases, the need to seek treatment abroad.

Beyond clinical care, the training camp also focuses on skills transfer and capacity building. Rwandan doctors are receiving hands-on training and participating in multidisciplinary learning sessions aimed at establishing a sustainable, locally led epilepsy surgery service in the future.

Hospital officials emphasize that the initiative also contributes to changing public perceptions of epilepsy. Persistent myths such as beliefs that epilepsy is contagious, incurable, or linked to supernatural causes have discouraged many patients from seeking timely medical care. By demonstrating effective surgical treatment, medical experts hope to reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behaviour.

For patients and families, access to advanced care within the country represents a major relief, both financially and emotionally. Officials say the programme is expected to significantly improve outcomes for people living with severe epilepsy while strengthening Rwanda’s position as a growing centre for specialised neurological care in the region.