Butera, and Lt. Col. Dr. Pacifique Mugenzi at the Rwanda Military Hospital
Kigali, Rwanda, June 25, 2018–The government of the Republic of Rwanda through the Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) has offered support for the ground-breaking invention of Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan, a renownedscientist and medical doctor from Liberia. The disclosure was made recently by hospital authorities at the end of Dr. Nyan’s presentation of his Multiplex Infections Diagnostic Test and lectureheld at the RMH.
The lecture which was organized by the Rwanda Military Hospital brought inattendance military as well as civilian doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel, andother healthcare workers. During the just ended 2018 African Innovation Summit held in Kigali, Dr. Nyan’s infections diagnostic test (The Nyan-Test) was exhibited as one of Top 50 Innovations in Africa. The Nyan-Test wasselected from over 600 submissions.
Speaking at the event, Col.Prof. Dr. Alex Butera, Headof Orthopedic Surgery and Deputy Commander of the Rwanda Military Hospital, applauded Dr. Nyan for his work and “inspiring presentation.” Hethenstated that, “Rwanda will support your innovation with resources, because you [Dr. Nyan] have a vision and passion for Africa and a solution that is needed not only for Africa, but is also needed for the world.”
Colonel Dr. Jean Paul Bitega, Chief Commandant of the Rwanda Military Hospital also lauded Dr. Nyan, saying: “you [Dr. Nyan] have a heart for the ordinary people and you proved to be a problem solver. This is whatAfrica needs. So, we will work with you on your invention, because it will benefit everybody. This is what His Excellency President Paul Kagame likes; he likes people who are problem solvers,” Dr. Bitega mentioned.
An email dated June 14, 2018 from Lt. Col. Dr. Fabien Ntaganda, Head of Diagnostics and Pathology of the Rwanda Military Hospital said, “We will be glad to have you [Dr. Nyan] in Rwanda.”
The NIH-trained scientist, Dr. Nyan, was then taken on a tour of the hospital and clinical laboratoryfacility. Discussions are currently in process to work out details of the support to be provided to Dr. Nyan and his team at Shufflex Biomed.
“I heartily accept the offer of support extended to me and Shufflex Biomed (through you) from the government and the hospitable people of Rwanda to continue my scientific work in your country. This is a demonstration of the pan-Africanist and humanist spirit of His Excellency President Paul Kagameand the people of Rwanda. As an African, I feel at home anywhere in Africa. So inRwanda,I am also at home,” responded Dr. Nyan.
Dr. Nyan’s invention is a single test that rapidly detects and distinguishes a host of different infections, at least 3 to 7 infections simultaneously. The test also distinguishes multiple infections which bear the same symptoms, for example yellow fever, malaria, typhoid or Ebola. The test detects and identifies HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis viruses, Dengue, West Nile Virus, and Chikungunya. Most testing methods take about 3 hours to 7 days or more, but this device gives test results within an hour, is simple to perform, and cost-effective for struggling economies. This new invention could prove to be revolutionary in the African and global markets, and provide a significant step in the detection and management of infectious diseases everywhere.
The innovation has been recognized across the globe withRwanda being the first country on the African continent to takepractical steps in establishing partnershipwith Shufflex Biomed and offerresources in support ofDr. Nyan’s innovation.
Meanwhile in Kenya, Dr. Nyan also established collaborations with scientists at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Diagnostic and Pathology of the Institute for Primate Research located in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi.
“I would like to thank the African Innovation Foundation and African Innovation Summit. And, a special thanks to my AIS-2018 Student-Assistants here in Kigali, ChristaineUmutoni and JanetKayesu,as well as Mr. Livingston, all of whom were very instrumental in connecting me with the government and hospital authorities. Above all, I want to thank the Almighty God for this glorious opportunity that is enabling me to continue on the path of helping the neglected people of Africa and the world,” concluded Dr. Nyan.
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