KIRUNDO, April 21st (ABP) – The ministry of public health held a ceremony on Friday, April 18, 2025, in the provincial capital of Kirundo (north), to celebrate world tuberculosis day, an event that was celebrated nationwide.
The ceremonies were graced by Dr. Olivier Nijimbere, permanent secretary of the ministry of public health and the fight against AIDS, accompanied by various partners of the ministry.
The Governor of Kirundo province, Mr. Victor Segasago, in his welcome speech, noted that tuberculosis is one of the diseases that haunts the health sector and the province in general, as a population that is not in good health contributes nothing to the development of the country. He urged the population to be cautious and avoid anything that could lead to that disease.
In his speech, Dr. Nijimbere mentioned that in 2024, 8,132 cases of tuberculosis were recorded across the country, with 3% of those cases being children. He added that Kirundo Province recorded 697 cases.
He emphasized that tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of mortality in Burundi, although significant progress has been made in combating it.
Dr. Nijimbere also pointed out that Kirundo is the second province with the highest number of tuberculosis patients, following Bujumbura Mairie, which is why the event was held in that province to help with awareness efforts.
He urged the Burundian population to follow the advice of health workers and to promptly visit health centers if they notice symptoms of tuberculosis, such as cough, fever, loss of appetite, etc.
Mrs. Denise Nkezimana, responsible for the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis at the WHO representation in Burundi, noted that the WHO African region recorded 2.5 million new cases and 404,000 deaths in 2023, which equals one life lost every 78 seconds, highlighting that tuberculosis is a disease not to be neglected.
World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated every year on March 24, but that year, Burundi chose to celebrate it on April 18.