A new piece of biomedical equipment has significantly improved healthcare quality in the Burundian province of Mwaro. Cordaid provided an ultrasound machine to the Bisoro Communal Hospital and trained the staff to use it. “Without this machine, it would have been impossible to identify what was causing my pain.”
Rosette is in her thirties. She had been experiencing pain in her abdomen for over a year and consulted several health centres without any luck finding the cause, let alone an effective remedy. Unfortunately, the clinics in the region did not have access to the necessary equipment for a proper diagnosis.
The news of the ultrasound machine arriving at Bisoro Hospital spread in the community, and it did not take long for Rosette to hear. She consulted the hospital’s physician, who immediately scheduled a session with her.
Rosette: “Finally, the cause of my pain was sorted out. I was transferred to another hospital for surgery. The operation went well, and I’m in good health now. Without this machine, it would have been impossible to identify what was causing my pain.”
An opportunity to raise awareness
Rosette is not the only one who has benefited from the improved quality of services at the hospital. Its director, Dr George Ngaruko, says he performs at least thirty ultrasounds daily.
Ngaruko affirms that the equipment has encouraged pregnant women and other patients to seek professional care at the hospital and increased their confidence in the quality of care. “We are also taking advantage of the opportunity to raise more awareness on family planning and sexual and reproductive health,” says Ngaruko.
Burundi’s national strategy of free health care
The health programme in Burundi was launched in 2018 with funds from KfW, the world’s largest development bank. It supports the implementation of Cordaid’s performance-based financing approach, which contributes to Burundi’s national strategy of free health care for pregnant women and children under five and the improvement of sexual and reproductive health services.
The project was originally due to end in April 2023 but was extended until April 2024. An important element of the programme is the provision of biomedical equipment to more than twenty health facilities.
Rosette’s name has been changed for privacy.