First Epilepsy Surgery Successfully Performed in Rwanda

KIGALI, February 9, 2026 - Doctors at Kigali University Teaching Hospital have carried out Rwanda’s first epilepsy surgery, marking a major step forward in specialized neurological care in the country. The procedure began on Monday with the operation of a 39-year-old patient who had suffered from epilepsy for 15 years despite continuous medication. The intervention was performed by a local medical team working alongside visiting foreign specialists. Until now, patients requiring this type of treatment were often referred abroad - mainly to India - due to the lack of local surgical capacity. The operation was led by neurosurgeon Sylvie Musoni Inyange, who explained that scans showed the seizures originated from a specific area on the left side of the brain. “We removed a small part of the brain where the MRI indicated the source of the epilepsy,” she said. Doctors reported the patient had been collapsing about twice a week and had become physically weakened. Following surgery, the treatment offers roughly an 85% chance of recovery, with the possibility of reducing or completely stopping medication. Medical specialists describe epilepsy as abnormal brain activity causing symptoms such as loss of consciousness, repeated falls, involuntary movements, temporary paralysis and sometimes loss of bladder control. Health professionals say the new capability represents a significant breakthrough for Rwanda’s healthcare system, as some patients could not be effectively treated with medication alone and traveling abroad was financially and logistically difficult. Family members welcomed the development, saying the condition had affected the patient since childhood and required frequent travel to Kigali for care. The hospital indicated that expanding specialized surgery locally will reduce medical evacuation costs and improve long-term treatment access for patients across the country.