Kigali car free day: an innovative model in the fight against non-communicable disease pandemics

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide and the burden is worsening especially in resource limited countries. Evidence has shown that physical exercise plays an integral role in preventing NCDs. In 2016, the government of Rwanda established a mass sport program in the capital city of Kigali entitled "Kigali Car Free Day" which offers an opportunity for Kigali residents to participate in physical exercise around the city on roads free of vehicles. The program also provides free screening of NCDs for residents. In this paper, we will describe the "Kigali Car Free Day" program and provide scientific insight on how the Car Free Day program in Rwanda can be potentially improved to benefit more people across the globe

Analytical Retrospect of the First Successful Thoraco-laparoplasty for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 1-day Old Newborn in Rwanda: A case review

Successful diaphragmatic surgeries with abdominal approaches have been reported nowadays in most developed and fully equipped surgical centers. Few reports exist in developing countries due to the rarity of the disease; and insufficiency of well-equipped centers for its accurate diagnosis and management. The following analytical retrospect describes a 1-day old newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) received after 24hours of life and treated successfully at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFH); with hernioplasty through a thoraco-abdominal approach. The newborn recovered perfectly well after surgery without complications. The discussion; herein; extends on the rationale and new practical concepts in the combination of both medical and surgical therapies; highlights some updated anticipatory preoperative and postoperative measures for a better overall outcome on such major and complex disease

Management Challenges of Pediatric Infective Endocarditis at Tertiary Level in Rwanda

Background: Management of Infective Endocarditis (IE) has been of great challenge for many years. Rapid diagnosis; effective treatment; and prompt recognition of complications are essential to good patient outcome as this condition is associated with a high morbidity and mortality in both adults and pediatric patients. In limited resources settings; management of IE is still a challenge due to early inappropriate antibiotherapy and therefore difficulties in its diagnosis and treatment. Objectives: To elicit challenges in management of patients suspected of IE at tertiary level in Rwanda. Methods: We report four patients with IE. For these patients; Duke's criteria were considered in making the diagnosis. Results and Conclusion: IE has protean clinical symptoms and signs; and can be of challenging diagnosis. The patients reported constituted a clinical challenge in the diagnosis and management of IE but most of them had had favorable outcome. The main clinical challenge was the prolonged stay to peripheral settings with inappropriate antibiotherapy which made most of the blood cultures falsely negative. Echocardiography and serial blood cultures provide the key to diagnosis as per Dukes criteria. Being alert to this mentioned challenge is crucial. As the key investigations are not steadily available in most peripheral health facilities; we strongly recommend early referral to tertiary level for all cases of suspected IE before initiation of antibiotherapy