OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department comprises seven inpatient units with a total capacity of 147 beds (Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 7, Neurosurgical Ward, Pre-operative Ward,  Pavillon Ophthalmology Ward, Plastic Ward, Ambulatory surgery Service Ward 6 and Private rooms).

In addition to inpatient services, the department offers ambulatory care through general and specialized outpatient consultations, including minor surgical procedures.

The Surgical department is equipped with nine operating theatres (OR) to support a wide range of surgical services ensuring safety, effective treatment for all patients and surgical skills transfer for new surgeons.

Mission and Vision :

Vision : To be a leader in delivering high-quality surgical healthcare services, advancing surgical education and conducting impactful research while fostering a culture of innovation and striving for excellence in all its activities.

Mission : To provide specialized and tertiary surgical healthcare services to the population, training competent surgical and healthcare professionals, conducting research to improve surgical care and advancing health-related knowledge. 

The Department of Surgery encompasses a wide range of specialized areas of expertise across various fields of surgical practice : 

General Surgery 

General Surgery service provides advanced tertiary-level care for a broad spectrum of surgical conditions involving the abdomen, endocrine system, soft tissues and trauma-related emergencies. It focuses on the diagnosis, preoperative, operative (open or minimally invasive surgery) and postoperative management of patients with a broad range of surgical conditions (Gastrointestinal tract

Endocrine surgery, Colo-rectal surgery, Thoracic Surgery, vascular surgery, soft tissues and related Trauma).

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic service focuses on the comprehensive management of musculoskeletal disorders and trauma through specialized clinical care, advanced surgical interventions, education, research and innovation. It focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders affecting musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves), manages traumatic injuries, fractures, congenital deformities, degenerative diseases, musculoskeletal tumors, and joint diseases through both surgical and non-surgical approaches, including joint replacement surgery.

Neurosurgery 

Neurosurgery service includes the management of head and spine injuries, brain tumors, spinal disorders, stroke-related conditions, congenital abnormalities. The main goal is to preserve or restore neurological function and improving patients’ quality of life. It is committed to delivering specialized tertiary neurosurgical care through advanced surgical techniques, multidisciplinary collaboration, education, research, and innovation.

Pediatric Surgery 

Pediatric Surgery service focuses on the surgical care of infants, children and adolescents with congenital, traumatic, infectious, and acquired conditions. The specialty aims to provide safe, child-centered surgical care that promotes healthy growth, functional recovery and improved quality of life, research and training.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 

Plastic surgery service is a specialized surgical service dedicated to restoring, reconstructing, and/or remodelling the human body to improve both function and appearance. The service handle a wide range of diseases arising from congenital defects, trauma including burns, scars, breast and cancers. The unit serves as a center for surgical training, innovation and research, advancing reconstructive techniques and evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes in a tertiary healthcare setting.

Urology

Urology service focuses on providing specialized diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment for disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. It is dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care, training healthcare professionals, advancing research and promoting innovation in the management of urological conditions to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

ENT service focuses on the diagnosis, medical and surgical management, and comprehensive care of diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. The unit is committed to providing high-quality patient care, training healthcare professionals, conducting research, and advancing innovation to improve hearing, breathing, speech, swallowing and overall quality of life.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) service focuses on the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases, injuries, and deformities affecting the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. It delivers specialized patient care and advancing innovation to improve facial function, appearance, oral health quality of life and training.

Ophthalmology

The Ophthalmology Service focuses on the comprehensive, prevention, diagnosis, medical and surgical management of ocular diseases, trauma and visual system disorders at tertiary level. In addition to clinical services, the service is actively engaged in training, research and innovation.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) is a specialized surgical service that focuses on repairing, reconstructing, or improving parts of the body affected by injuries, burns, birth defects, disease, or appearance concerns. CHUK offers both plastic and reconstructive surgery as part of its Surgery Department.