Burundi-Representatives from the Burundian Ministry of Public Health and AIDS Prevention joined hands with the African Development Bank’s(AfDB) office in Bujumbura on October 27. The primary agenda of this collaborative meeting was to discuss and implement the Bank Group’s Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa 2020-2030, to significantly improve healthcare standards in Burundi and across the continent.
“The African Development Bank Group’s Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa 2020-2030 aims to develop the infrastructure needed for high-quality care for people in Africa, thus limiting the need for medical evacuations. This strategy is one of the knowledge products that the Bank has developed based on the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic,” explained Jean-Claude Nsabimana, a specialist in the social sector at the Bank’s Country Office in Burundi.
The Bank’s strategy outlines key priorities for strengthening Africa’s health systems, including the development of high-quality infrastructure, a robust pharmaceutical industry, and targeted capacity-building in the vaccine sector.
Peter Ogwang, lead health analyst at the AfDB’s regional office for East Africa, highlighted four crucial categories of health infrastructure: primary healthcare facilities, secondary and tertiary healthcare centers, diagnostic infrastructure, and connectivity for innovative health solutions.
During the discussion session, attended by various stakeholders, including academic institutions, health professionals, and government officials, Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, head of the Education and Skills Development Division for the East Africa region at the Bank, encouraged stakeholders to propose priority projects for consolidation in the Country Strategy Paper.
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Olivier Nijimbere, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, representing the minister, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing challenges in the health sector. He points out that the government’s vision for an “emerging Burundi by 2040 and a developed nation by 2060” includes prioritizing access to high-quality healthcare.
This collaboration between the AfDB and Burundi health sector signals a significant step towards building a resilient and effective healthcare system, addressing both current challenges and future needs in the region.
