Located at TEE OFF TOWER KG 9 AVE house No 120 / PO BOX 312 Kigali

For RIIO School Call 0791504717, for RIIO Hospital Call 0788321109 programs@riio.org

OUR STORY

Founders

The Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) was established in 2011 by two ophthalmologists living in Kigali. After many years in public service, Dr. John Nkurikiye and Prof. Wanjiku ‘Ciku’ Mathenge, created RIIO in response to gaps in the provision of eye services in Rwanda.  Their vision for eye care in Rwanda? To see a country where homegrown quality eye health solutions for care delivery, education and advocacy further inspire the government and other partners to transform how eye health is understood, how good vision is valued and preserved and the way that local eye health problems are solved. To this end, RIIO’s mission is to engage with local governments, partners and patients as an organization committed to influencing eye care delivery for the better through projects that are able to integrate education, innovation, research, and enterprise for the long-term benefit of Rwanda and the Region.

About the Founders:

Dr. John NkurikiyeJohn

Mention Eye Care in Rwanda and John’s name will pop up within seconds. John has been a key driver of eye care planning and delivery in the country ever since he returned from his training in South Africa in 1999. John is a prolific and respected anterior segment and cornea surgeon in the Region and an associate Professor. John is the president of the College of Ophthalmology of East, Central and Southern Africa (COECSA).

Prof. Wanjiku ‘Ciku’ Mathenge Ciku

Ciku is one of the most influential ophthalmologists in the Region. Not only is she a highly experienced multi specialist surgeon, but she is also the leading ophthalmology researcher in the Region. Ciku was also the first ophthalmologist to receive a PhD in the Region and served as  medical advisor for the Fred Hollows Foundation for many years. She serves on committees for the African Ophthalmology Council, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, the International Council of Ophthalmology and COECSA and is regular consultant for the World Health Organization. Ciku is passionate about training others both in ophthalmology and eye health systems.