As a committed partner of the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), AL-AMAL has continued to play a critical role in strengthening pain relief support for palliative care patients in Rwanda. In addition to actively contributing as a member of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Technical Working Group, AL-AMAL has taken concrete steps to address urgent gaps in access to pain management.
In early 2022, Rwanda faced a nationwide shortage of oral morphine, a vital medication for managing pain in patients with life-limiting illnesses. This shortage significantly affected the quality of life for many, including patients under AL-AMAL’s care.
Responding to this urgent need, on January 26, 2022, AL-AMAL answered a request from RBC’s NCD Division and provided financial support for the production of Morphine Oral Solution at LABOPHAR, a pharmaceutical production facility located in Huye District. This intervention aimed to meet the growing demand for pain management medications across the country.
Through this partnership, AL-AMAL funded the production of 20,000 bottles of 500ml oral morphine, distributed across four production cycles. The support included payments for technical staff involved in the manufacturing process and the transportation of 5,250 bottles from LABOPHAR to healthcare facilities in Kigali.
Thanks to these efforts, morphine syrup is now accessible in most hospitals across Rwanda. Notably, 43 palliative care patients supported by AL-AMAL are currently able to access oral morphine through the Community-Based Health Insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé). Additionally, AL-AMAL has established a reliable network for morphine supply from referral hospitals, ensuring a sustainable pain relief pathway for those in need.
This initiative highlights AL-AMAL’s unwavering commitment to dignified, compassionate care for people with life-limiting conditions and demonstrates the power of strong public-private collaboration in advancing national health goals.