Developing an Anatomy Unit in Rwanda: Overcoming Challenges

Abstract

Rwanda, the historical background reveals that anatomy was introduced into the medical program
6 years after the beginning of medical education. The development of the clinical anatomy unit
started in 2002. Initially, the anatomical specimen was collected from amputated limbs and body
organs from an autopsy.
Growing the field of anatomy in Rwanda has been a long journey guided by a constant commitment
by the pioneers. The process was based on a guiding philosophy of delivering anatomy relevant
to the clinical practice. The cadaver dissection practice is a gold standard for a challenging task.
It needs strategies to build a system that facilitates the acquisition of cadavers, its processing,
and the use and disposal of remains in human conditions. A law that regulates the use of human
bodies, organs, and tissues in teaching and research was promulgated in 2010, and signed MoU
on the supply of cadavers for teaching purposes with various hospitals in Rwanda.
In 2020, the Society of Clinical Anatomy of Rwanda (S-CAR) was founded to promote the growth
of anatomical sciences and create a community for anatomy in Rwanda. The regular organization
of surgical anatomy dissection courses has positively impacted the surgical trainees’ skills and
anatomy delivery. Despite the challenges, anatomy is alive in Rwanda, as testified to by the
successful organization of the First Anatomy Annual Congress in October 2022.