GITEGA, March 28th (ABP) – The network of religious denominations for the promotion of health and the integral well-being of the family (RCBIF-Burundi), with financial support from UNICEF, organised on Wednesday 26 March 2025 in Gitega (the political capital and centre of Burundi), a national workshop to introduce the Mpox project, with a view to its appropriation by religious leaders. The aim was to increase their involvement in preventing and combating that epidemic, bearing in mind that they are influential and respected figures in their communities, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
Arthur Niyonsaba, adviser to the governor of Gitega in charge of legal issues, pointed out that Burundi has made significant improvements in the fight against Mpox, by setting up centers to care for Mpox sufferers. Those improvements have also been made possible by the availability of medicines, biomedical equipment and ambulances, and by preventive measures.
From the Ministry of Public Health, Onésphore Ndikumana, from the public health emergency operations centre, reported that since the first case of Mpox appeared in Burundi, up until 24 March 2025, Burundi had already recorded 3,704 confirmed cases of Mpox in 46 out of 49 health districts, and only one case of death. He noted that 3,590 patients had been cured and discharged.
Ndikumana pointed out that the epidemic had significantly affected five health districts, with 2924 cases. Those are the Bujumbura Nord health district with 1,416 cases, or 38.22%, Gitega with 503 cases, or 13.57%, Bujumbura Centre with 424 cases, or 11.44%, Bujumbura Sud with 299 cases, or 8.07%, and Isare with 282 cases, or 7.61%. He also indicated that the disease is currently present in 13 health districts, and that there are three health districts that have never seen a case of Mpox, but that healthcare providers are continuing to carry out screening.
Of those affected by Mpox, 52.2% are men and 47.8% are women. According to Ndikumana, the age group most affected is between 20 and 30, accounting for 30.7% of recorded cases.
Ndikumana emphasised the contribution of religious leaders, whose role is crucial in the fight against that disease, given their influence and the respect they command in communities.
“By using your voice to dispel misinformation, you can encourage healthy behaviour and promote prevention messages. Your presence and leadership can help build an environment of trust around health”, concluded Ndikumana.