There is no health without mental health. In 2020, challenges to be met had been identified, while showing what mental health should be in Burundi. What about today ? Spotlight.
“He was always smiling and seemed to have no worries.”These are the words of a member of the family of Jean Bosco (the name has been changed for his anonymity), met at the mental care center of Gitega. Bosco, a young civil servant in his thirties, has just been interned for attempted suicide. In 2020, he had already been hospitalized for addiction to psychoactive substances (SPA).
Suicide attempt? Nothing is surprising. Remember, in 2019, a study showed that 4 out of 10 Burundians had psychological problems. Faced with these troubles, the drug loophole is becoming commonplace. According the recent study, 79% of young drug users see drug use as a solution to difficult living conditions, and 63% admit to using drugs to forget the difficulties encountered. According the 2019 study6.4% of Burundians have attempted suicide, and 3% of those have gone so far as to commit suicide.
In the state in which
For Jean Bosco’s family, compared to his last hospitalization, the the state in which did not move one iota. His mother sees the glass half empty. “Before being interned, we went to the nearest hospital, and they did nothing except give us a transfer ticket directly”, confides his mother to explain that there is still a lack of integration of mental health in public hospitals.
“If he relapsed, it is because we did not find a listening or counseling center inside the country, for psychological follow-up after his stay in hospital”she adds, before wondering when the care of the mentally ill will benefit from the free healthcare as for tuberculosis or AIDS patients.
Moreover, for the two hospitalizations, Bosco never met a psychiatrist. “There are only four psychiatrists working in Burundi and all are in Bujumbura”, regrets a doctor from the center. Jean Bosco’s family complains that the number of patients far exceeds the number of beds available in this center. “With 38 beds in Gitega, 16 beds in Ngozi and 154 beds at the CNPK, this is insufficient”adds the doctor again.
Glimmer of hope
For the integrated national program to combat chronic non-communicable diseases, the status quo is changing. The glass is half full, they say: “There are 25 Burundian doctors who are specializing in psychiatry abroad, with an obligation in the contract of our scholarshipsto return to work in the country”explains Dr Eric, in training in Senegal.
Furthermore, accessibility to psychotropic drugs is no longer a challenge. “For two years, the Essential Medicines Purchasing Center of Burundi (CAMEBU) orders psychotropic drugs in the same way as other somatic drugs”explains Bukeyeneza, CAMEBU pharmacist.
And beyond the unique specialized center « to Legentil » and its branches in Gitega and Ngozi, other structures have emerged. quote the psychiatric unit of the Military Hospitalthe Kira hospital unit, private clinics like Solis, the center of the Good Action Umugiraneza foundation in Ngozi, the neuropsychiatric health center in Cibitoke, and the ubuntu addiction clinic in Bujumbura.
In addition, from 2021 to 2022, 58 doctors and more than 450 hospital nurses of Gitega, Ngozi, Rumonge and Bujumbura were trained for the implementation of the policy of integration of psychiatric units in public hospitals.
Mental health concerns everyone without exception. We need to take care of it just like we would our physical health.
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