Burundi: a population deprived of basic health care

[摘要] Civilians in Burundi have lived through years of conflict and are currently in a state of chronic crisis. Although a ceasefire was agreed at the end of 2003, in certain areas of Burundi peace still remains a hope rather than a reality and the effects of war are still very much present.1 The country's civil war has compounded the economic crisis, and severely damaged the health sector. The government's capacity to invest in the health sector is limited. Medical staff are lacking, infrastructure has been destroyed, and ongoing insecurity in certain regions has increased the inaccessibility of health care for many.2 At the same time, infectious and parasitic diseases, especially malaria, remain huge health problems. Despite the beginnings of political stability in Burundi, the mortality rates are alarming and well above those associated with even an emergency situation.3 The violence has led to a scarcity of goods and services, supply and transport problems, an increase in violence and the destruction of family belongings causing generalised vulnerability of the population.

[学科分类] 卫生学