Building Arthroscopy Capacity in Rwanda: A Global Orthopedics Partnership

Columbia Orthopedics recently contributed to an important global health effort by donating arthroscopic tools to support orthopedic care in Rwanda.

Kiran J. Agarwal-Harding, MD, MPH, a 2022 graduate of the Columbia Orthopedics Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship and now an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School, will deliver the equipment to Dr. JC Allen Ingabire at University Teaching Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda.

Currently, patients in Rwanda’s central teaching hospital do not have access to arthroscopy. The procedure is only available at a nearby private hospital, where care is limited to patients who can afford to pay out of pocket. This donation of specialized surgical tools represents a first step toward developing a public arthroscopy program in Rwanda’s capital, offering more patients access to modern, minimally invasive treatment options.

“We are honored to support our colleagues in Rwanda through this donation and are deeply grateful to Dr. Agarwal-Harding for helping make it possible,” said Dr. William N. Levine, Chair of Columbia Orthopedics. “Having seen the transformative impact of minimally invasive surgical technology on our own patients, we believe that expanding access to this care in Rwanda will empower local physicians and significantly improve patient outcomes. We hope this initiative contributes to lasting, positive change throughout the community.”

What Is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique allowing doctors to look directly inside a joint—such as the knee, shoulder, or elbow. Surgeons insert an arthroscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end, through a small incision—or portal—about the size of a buttonhole. The tiny camera projects images onto a screen, giving surgeons a clear view inside the joint.

Compared to traditional open surgery, arthroscopy usually means smaller incisions, less pain after surgery, and faster recovery times. It can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, such as torn ligaments, cartilage damage or inflamed tissue.

The Importance of Arthroscopic Tools

According to Yelena Akelina, DVM, Director of the Microsurgery Training Laboratory at Columbia Orthopedics, the donated arthroscopic tools include small, specialized instruments such as probes, graspers, shavers, and scissors. Surgeons use the tools through tiny portals created in the skin to carefully repair or remove tissue within the joint. These tools allow for precision work inside tight joint spaces while minimizing disruption to surrounding muscles and structures.

Many of the donated tools and accessories had recently been upgraded at Columbia; however, they remain functional and represent a vast improvement for the faculty, students and patients in Kigali. 

“Microsurgical skills are essential for advancing surgical care," said Dr. Akelina, “By empowering surgeons with these highly specialized techniques, we’re helping create sustainable improvements in patient care in Rwanda.”

Expanding Global Orthopedic Care

With support from Columbia Orthopedics, Harvard’s Global Orthopaedics Collaborative, and the dedication of local leaders like Dr. Ingabire, Rwanda is poised to introduce arthroscopy into its public teaching hospital system for the first time. Over the coming months, the donated supplies will make their way to Kigali, where they will help establish a new sports medicine and arthroscopy department.

Dr. Agarwal-Harding’s work extends beyond Rwanda. As founder and director of the Harvard Global Orthopedics Collaborative, he partners with clinicians in Malawi, Ethiopia, and other countries to expand access to orthopedic care. These global partnerships not only bring vital tools to patients who need them but also help train the next generation of surgeons in advanced techniques, ensuring long-term impact.

By sharing knowledge and resources across borders, the orthopedic community is making meaningful strides toward a future where advanced surgical care is available to patients everywhere, regardless of access to more expensive private treatment.

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