Strengthening Cervical Cancer Screening in Rwanda Through Innovation and Partnership

Advancing Women’s Health Through Technology and Collaboration

Since 2023, GYNIUS has played a significant role in strengthening cervical cancer screening efforts in Rwanda through collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center and the Elekta Foundation. Through innovative screening technologies, advanced HPV testing solutions, and strong partnerships with healthcare institutions, GYNIUS continues to support Rwanda’s efforts toward improving early detection and prevention of cervical cancer among women.

Supporting the Gicumbi District Screening Campaign

The partnership began during the cervical cancer screening campaign in Gicumbi District, where GYNIUS provided the Gynocular colposcope to support early detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer.

At the time, one of the major challenges facing Rwanda’s cervical cancer screening program was limited HPV testing capacity. Traditional PCR machines used during screening campaigns could process only 654 samples within 24 hours, while the number of collected samples continued to increase. This created significant testing backlogs and affected the effectiveness of the screen-and-treat approach.

To address this challenge, GYNIUS introduced advanced HPV testing kits and high-capacity testing machines capable of processing 1,128 samples within 24 hours. This innovation significantly improved testing efficiency, reduced delays, and enabled screening campaigns to operate more effectively.

Expanding Screening Efforts in Karongi District

The collaboration continued in Karongi District, where GYNIUS, together with RBC and the Elekta Foundation, continued supplying Gynocular devices and HPV testing kits.

These efforts supported large-scale cervical cancer screening programs and helped healthcare teams achieve their screening targets throughout 2024. The continued partnership demonstrated the importance of combining innovation, accessibility, and local healthcare collaboration to improve women’s health outcomes.

Introducing Automated HPV Testing in Bugesera District

During the cervical cancer screening campaign in Bugesera District, GYNIUS introduced another important innovation: Automatic Liquid Handler technology for HPV testing. This advanced technology increased testing capacity to 2,304 samples within 24 hours, representing a major improvement in screening efficiency. The innovation helped strengthen the implementation of the screen-and-treat strategy by reducing turnaround times and enabling healthcare teams to manage larger screening volumes more effectively.

Continuing Impact Across Rwanda

Today, the GYNIUS platform continues to support cervical cancer screening programs across several districts in Rwanda, including:

• Kayonza District

• Ngoma District

• Kirehe District

• Rubavu District

Through innovation, collaboration, and commitment to women’s health, GYNIUS continues to contribute to the advancement of cervical cancer prevention and screening services across Rwanda.

Looking Ahead

As Rwanda continues strengthening its national cervical cancer prevention strategy, partnerships between healthcare institutions, technology providers, and global health organizations remain essential. GYNIUS remains committed to supporting scalable, efficient, and accessible screening solutions that improve early detection and help save lives.