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“When the electoral crisis broke out, we were already working in Burundi, running an obstetric fistula repair project in Gitega, about two hours’ drive from the capital. We sent medical teams to five districts near where the protests were taking place.
Ensuring that the wounded have access to medical care and that health facilities are equipped to handle mass casualties, if necessary, is crucial. Our teams provided emergency medical care and stabilized the wounded so that they could be transferred to the city’s four public hospitals by the Burundi Red Cross. We also donated first aid kits containing dressing materials and medical supplies to 19 health centres in 13 municipalities in the capital.
Hospitals in the capital are struggling to cope. Whenever they receive a large number of injured people, they run out of beds and their surgical capacity is overloaded.
Few ambulances are available at night, and some of the wounded die before reaching the hospital. So when the security situation allows, we send MSF ambulances to transport the wounded.
We also work at Arche Hospital in Kigobe, north of the capital, providing free medical care to victims of violence. Many of the injured face financial barriers to receiving medical care. Often the injured cannot afford hospital treatment – a single operation can cost hundreds of euros.
Most of our patients are “collateral victims,” hit by stray bullets or grenades during clashes between police and opposition supporters.
For example, last week we admitted two girls, aged 8 and 11, who were injured after an abandoned grenade exploded in the hospital.
Injured patients often fear for their safety in medical facilities, so creating a sanctuary for them without discrimination is critical. We treat any injured person, regardless of their political affiliation.
Since we started working at the hospital at the end of June, we have admitted nearly 200 wounded people, 122 of whom are hospitalized. We are currently admitting an average of 20 patients per week. Most of them were injured by bullets or grenades, but there are also people who were attacked by knives. Generally, they come to the hospital on their own, sometimes a few days after being injured.
This 40-bed hospital has an emergency room, operating room and intensive care unit. We also provide psychotherapy and physical therapy.
Although we are no longer running fistula repair projects in Gitega, we remain committed to helping the people of Burundi.”
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