This measure is a very hard blow for children and pregnant women. It came after investigations carried out by the ministry in charge of health. The concerned health facility is suspected of having cheated in the billing of free services compensated by this ministry. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The Kiremba autonomous hospital, located in the province of Ngozi in northern Burundi, has decided to end free care for children under five and pregnant women. This is a program of the Burundian government that has been implemented for several years. Since last Friday, women and children who benefited from free care will have to pay the full medical costs.

A sanction imposed by the supervising ministry

This decision results from a sanction from the ministry in charge of public health, through the Monitoring and Inspection Center for the implementation of this policy. An inspection mission revealed that the hospital had double-billed free care for children under five and pregnant women.

« The facility allegedly billed the supervising ministry for this care twice, which led to the suspension of the collaboration agreement for six months, » according to medical sources.

A direct impact on patients and the local population

The end of free care directly penalizes children and pregnant women, who must now pay for their care. Inhabitants of the Kiremba district and neighboring districts, which depend on this hospital, express their discontent and demand that the facility reimburse the amounts unduly collected. According to them, this would make it possible to quickly restore free care and prevent beneficiaries from being the main victims.

A possible review of the policy after six months

If the hospital corrects its practices and the Monitoring and Inspection Center agrees to reestablish collaboration, the free policy could be reinstated after six months. In the meantime, residents are hoping for a quick solution to prevent the most vulnerable from being left without care.