IRCAD Africa and STEMi host Medical Bootcamp for Rwandan students
The Research Institute against Digestive Cancer; IRCAD Africa, with support from STEMi Makers of Africa, organised a five-day summer medical camp for some selected high school students in Rwanda, aspiring to be medical doctors.
According to the organizers, the camp programme, recently held at Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, brought together trainees and high school students interested in a career in the medical field to expose them to the basic things about medicine, mental health, digital health, and general wellbeing.
In the course of the five-day summer camp programme, the students were exposed to basic things in medical innovations, new technologies in healthcare, robotic demonstrations, how to identify muscles and perform a simple vital signs check-up. Others included how to do knot tying and suturing, pelvic trainer exercises, pathology and immunity games, and medical simulation experiences. The students were also taught how to stop bleeding, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), perform yoga and meditation, as well as ultrasound and telehealth demonstrations, and were exposed to virtual reality (VR) medical simulation experiences.
Here’s some of the amazing things some of the students had to say:
“Attending the Summer Camp for Future Doctors Assemble at IRCAD Africa was truly eye‑opening and reassured me that medicine is the right path for me. From learning advanced surgical techniques to engaging with passionate mentors, the experience deepened my interest and confidence in a medical career. It was an unforgettable experience that shaped our dreams for the future.” — Uwacu Benise.
According to IRCAD, the young students, the future healthcare leaders, embraced every moment, learning, exploring, and thriving along the way.
The institute expressed its gratitude to STEMi Makers of Africa for their support in facilitating some parts of the programme and helping to bring smiles to the faces of the participants. The institute thanked the students, mentors, and guest speakers who made the camp a success.
The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IRCAD Africa, Dr Michelle K. Smith, stated that the camp was a powerful investment in the next generation of African medical leaders, adding that, for many of the students, this was their first time of stepping into a surgical simulation laboratory, handling medical tools, and seeing what a future in healthcare could look like.
The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IRCAD Africa, Dr Michelle K. Smith, stated that the camp was a powerful investment in the next generation of African medical leaders, adding that, for many of the students, this was their first time of stepping into a surgical simulation laboratory, handling medical tools, and seeing what a future in healthcare could look like.
Dr Smith said that they launched the initiative to spark curiosity, build confidence, and show young minds, especially from underserved communities, that they too belonged in spaces of science, innovation, and healing. She further said that the ripple effect of the camp could inspire lifelong careers in medicine across Africa.
“The participants stepped into the future with virtual reality surgical experiences and hands-on laparoscopic skill sessions in our advanced simulation lab. They also got a firsthand look at the groundbreaking work we do at IRCAD Africa in minimally invasive surgery, highlighted by a robotic surgery demonstration.
“Throughout the week, students collaborated to develop creative and impactful health awareness campaigns, sparking innovative ideas with real potential to shape the future of healthcare. The only complaint was that they wished it had lasted longer,” Dr Smith said.
STEMi Makers of Africa’s Rwanda coordinator, Mugisha Fontaine, stated that they were happy to support the medical summer camp, emphasising that such endeavours are in line with their mission of ensuring that young people in Africa have basic technology and STEM skills to impact their lives, societies, and the continent. Fontaine further stated that the camp exercise was a unique experience that would help instil confidence, competence, and teamwork in surgical procedures. He added that the early exposure to medical hands-on techniques and practice with models or cadavers allows students to develop fine motor skills, understand wound healing principles, and gain confidence in their abilities.
“We are happy to be part of this project used as an early training approach to ‘catch them young’, where we inspire students to pursue surgical specialities and potentially reduce the burden on faculty for surgical skills training in later years,” Fontaine added.