By RFPosted on 05-08-2019Modified on 05-08-2019 at 22:37

Burundi is facing an epidemic of malaria that does not say its name. More than 5.7 million cases, including 1,801 deaths, have been reported since the beginning of the year until 21 July 2019, according to figures released by OCHA, and that on a population of 11 million people. The government has not officially declared a malaria epidemic, despite repeated requests for more than two months.

From three million in May, the number of malaria cases in Burundi rose to more than 5.7 million in mid-July, according to figures published on the OCHA website, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations. UN, in this country. The UN agency quotes official data from the Ministry of Public Health.

This is a good part of the 11 million Burundians who have already been affected by this new outbreak of malaria in just over 200 days, which corresponds to a 97% increase over the same period of 2018. .

Some 1,800 people have succumbed to this disease during the same period and, as a sign that this crisis is not yet under control , more than 150,000 new cases - including 65 deaths - have been recorded just for the week alone. July 15 to 21, according to this report.

The big problem today is that the Burundian government refuses to formally declare a malaria epidemic, despite a request from international organizations in this direction since mid-April.

But what strikes the most is " the screed that covers this drama that is played behind closed doors ," according to a stakeholder in the sector. No doctor, no NGO official dares to speak publicly on the subject. Even the international organizations that help Burundi in this area refuse to comment on these figures and rely on the government.

Burundi had already faced a malaria epidemic just two years ago. More than 8 million cases were identified.

Overwhelmed health centers

According to OCHA, out of the 46 health districts in Burundi, 33 have crossed the threshold of the epidemic by the end of May, and 9 others have exceeded the alert threshold by the same date. The health centers that welcome the sick are overwhelmed.

Joined by RFI, an official from a center in Cibitoke province who requested anonymity for security reasons, spoke of a real disaster and called on the government to act quickly.

" For two months, malaria has become a scourge in the province of Cibitoke, as seen in health facilities. Out of 30 people who visit our health center every day, 26 or 27 have malaria. And if you look at the weekly report that we pass on to our superiors, at least 94% of the patients treated have malaria . "

" It is safe to say that this is a real disaster because there are also many children and adults who have been killed by this disease. We are obliged to put two patients on the same bed and to sleep a third on the floor and therefore there is no place for the nurses because we are totally overwhelmed ".

" The government should create a big center to treat malaria cases. He must also declare that it is an epidemic so that we can take care of all the patients for free because today everyone pays 100% for consultation and medicines, except for children under 5 years. Finally, the government must distribute new mosquito nets and spray insecticide in all homes. "

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