Rwanda has marked a major milestone in specialised healthcare with the successful launch of epilepsy surgery at Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK), where the country’s first patient underwent the procedure.
Until now, epilepsy treatment particularly surgical intervention has been extremely costly and unavailable not only in Rwanda but also across the region. Patients requiring such advanced care were often forced to seek treatment abroad, in distant countries such as India.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain and is characterised by sudden seizures that may cause a person to collapse unexpectedly. These episodes are often accompanied by involuntary shaking of the legs or the entire body. Although seizures usually last a short time, patients often regain consciousness after a few minutes and resume normal activity.
Seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain caused by irregular functioning of nerve networks. In most cases, patients are unaware when a seizure is about to occur, though some may sense warning signs and seek safety beforehand.
First Surgery in Rwanda and the Region
On Monday, February 9, CHUK officially launched epilepsy surgery for the first time in Rwanda and the wider region. The initiative coincided with an Epilepsy Surgery Training Camp, a week-long programme aimed at building local capacity in advanced neurological care.
The training brought together international specialists, including neurosurgeons, neurologists, and anesthesiologists from various countries.
During the week, eight patients suffering from severe, drug-resistant epilepsy are scheduled to undergo surgery. These patients have failed to respond to conventional medication.
The first patient was a 39-year-old woman from Rwamagana District who has lived with epilepsy for more than 15 years. Her condition had worsened to the point where she required three different medications and still experienced seizures at least twice a week.
A Family’s Long Struggle
Alvera Mukarugwiza, a relative and caregiver of the patient, said epilepsy had severely disrupted her sister’s life. The condition began when she was in Primary Six, forcing her to drop out of school.
“The illness exhausted her,” Mukarugwiza said. “When a seizure started, she would feel it coming and rush indoors. We would hold her head and legs to prevent injuries. We stayed with her until she regained consciousness.”
Beyond the physical toll, the illness placed a heavy burden on the family, limiting their ability to work and develop economically. Medical expenses were also significant.
“Today, receiving treatment free of charge makes us truly grateful,” Mukarugwiza added. “We had been told she would need to go abroad, which we could not afford. We thank God, the country, and everyone who made this possible.”
Medical Breakthrough and Local Capacity Building
Dr. Sylvie Inyange Musoni, one of the doctors involved in the surgery, said the procedure involved removing a small diseased portion of the brain on the left side, identified through MRI scans as the source of the seizures.
“By removing the affected area, the patient will likely reduce her dependence on medication and may even stop taking epilepsy drugs she has used for more than 10 years,” she explained.
The surgery was performed using open-brain surgical techniques. Dr. Musoni added that after the training week, Rwandan doctors will have the skills to perform similar surgeries independently.
Dr. Severien Muneza, a specialist and head of the department in charge of neurological disorders at CHUK, said many people are unaware that epilepsy can sometimes require surgery.
“When medication fails, surgery becomes an option,” he said. “Patients are usually placed on a first, second, or even third medication. If seizures persist, surgical evaluation is necessary.”
All patients scheduled for surgery during the week have long-standing epilepsy and have tried multiple medications without success.
Types and Symptoms of Epilepsy
Epilepsy falls into three main categories. Some patients are born with the condition or develop it following head injuries, brain hemorrhage, or tumors known as secondary or symptomatic epilepsy. Others develop epilepsy without an identifiable cause, referred to as idiopathic epilepsy. There is also cryptogenic epilepsy, where doctors suspect brain lesions but cannot determine the exact cause.
Epilepsy can affect people of all ages, though it is most common among young children, adolescents, and the elderly.
The condition is typically marked by sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, involuntary movements such as jaw clenching, abnormal eye or head movements, partial loss of sensation, and full-body convulsions.
Globally, more than 90 million people are estimated to be living with epilepsy, including over 11 million newly diagnosed cases.
Source: KT