Keys points:
- The United Methodist Church of Burundi, with the support of the Board of Global Ministries, has inaugurated the Gahambwe Health Center, ending decades of residents’ struggle to access health care.
- Previously, the inhabitants of Gahambwe had to travel more than 7 km (more than 4 miles) to receive medical care. Today, the proximity of the center changes all that — especially for pregnant women and children.
- Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera underlined the importance of the partnership between The United Methodist Church and the Burundian state to improve access to health care.
Pregnant women, children and others in need now have access to lifesaving care with the opening of the Gahambwe Health Center in the community of Nyabitsinda.
The project was led by the United Methodist Church of Burundi, with financial support from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
“This is a dream born 16 years ago that The United Methodist Church of Burundi has just made a reality,” said the Rev. Japhet Nderibicuro, superintendent of the Kinyinya District. “This community dream has finally come true, marking a major turning point for access to health care in the region.”
Nyabitsinda is a commune in Burundi's Ruyigi province, with a population of more than 82,000.
Until now, the inhabitants of Nyabitsinda and the surrounding area had to travel more than 7 kilometers (over 4 miles) to reach the nearest health center, a distance that made it difficult for pregnant women and children in particular to access care quickly and regularly.
Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera of the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area praised the fruitful collaboration between the church and the Burundian government. He asked the government to strengthen health care by urgently assigning a midwife and a health promotion technician, as well as providing electricity to the region.
As part of the partnership between the church and Burundi, the government donated a batch of medical equipment worth 24,422,440 BIF ($8,203.84 USD), a gesture welcomed by Sinzohagera.
“God’s things are built on His promises. We are grateful to our partners and communities for joining with the church to construct this building,” he said.
The Gahambwe Health Center has all the infrastructure needed to meet the population’s needs: accommodation for men and women, a maternity block, waiting room, an administrative and treatment block, modern toilets, solar electricity, a morgue and secure fencing.
“This dream has been transformed into action,” said the Rev. Japhet Nderibicuro, superintendent of the Kinyinya District, during the March 30 inauguration of the center.
“Today, we are blessed. This promise has been kept: By the grace of God, the Gahambwe Health Center is now complete.”
In early 2024, Global Ministries supported the completion of the maternity block, purchase of medical and office equipment and supply of essential medications. The funding was instrumental in opening the health center and enabling it to begin offering maternal, newborn and general outpatient care, said Kathy Griffith, director of Global Health for the agency.
The grant also supported community sensitization efforts and the formation of a local health committee to promote long-term community involvement.
Dr. Aloys Nyabenda, health coordinator for the Burundi Area, said the center will contribute to universal health coverage and the fight against avoidable maternal and infant mortality.
“A health center is defined not only by its physical infrastructure. It’s the dedicated and qualified people within it who really make the difference. My team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of care with empathy,” Nyabenda said.
A new grant awarded by Global Ministries this year will be used to build capacity through financial support of a midwife, quarterly training for staff and lab assistants, and regular training and support for 20 community health workers, Griffith said, which includes transportation, communication and monthly meetings with the facility head.
The grant also will provide essential medicines, reproductive health equipment and operational tools like registers and a tablet for data tracking.
“To support broader community health, Global Ministries is funding activities such as menstrual health training and hygiene kits for 100 girls, nutrition assistance using locally sourced food, rehabilitation of school latrines, and drilling a borehole to improve access to clean water,” Griffith said. “These investments are helping transform Gahambwe Health Center into a fully equipped, community-centered facility.”
In its first two months of operation, the center welcomed almost 5,000 patients, including over 3,000 children under the age of 5 and 258 pregnant women.
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For Estella Niyonsaba, a resident of Nyabitsinda, the arrival of the health center marked the end of an obstacle course to access health care.
“Before the opening of the Gahambwe Health Center, access to health care was a real challenge for me and many other people in my village. I remember that when I was pregnant with my second child, I had to drive for over an hour to get to the nearest hospital in Kinyinya,” she said. “It was exhausting and often overwhelming, especially during the last months of my pregnancy.”
Today, Niyonsaba is delighted with the proximity and quality of the welcome she receives.
“I can now walk there in just a few minutes,” she said. “The staff welcome me with open arms when I visit. They are friendly, competent and take the time to listen to me and answer all my questions. For the first time, I felt that my health mattered.”
The center has not only enabled her to receive appropriate care but also to become actively involved in community life. She joined the community health committee, where she can share her experiences and help other women understand the importance of prenatal care.
“I’ve seen more women coming to the center for medical checkups, and it fills me with hope to see our community become healthier,” she said.
Sandrine Niyoyitungiye, a mother of three from Kirungu Hill, shares the same sense of gratitude and hope.
“Before this project, access to health care seemed like a distant dream. We often had to make long journeys to the nearest hospital and many families, including my own, were reluctant to seek medical help because of the lack of facilities nearby and the high cost of treatment.”
Thanks to the center, Niyoyitungiye and other women now benefit from essential services.
“We will be able to benefit from prenatal care for the first time, and health professionals will provide us with essential information on nutrition and safe birthing practices,” she said. “I felt supported and empowered. I now feel I can access the services I need without fear or hesitation — unlike what we’ve experienced in recent years.”
For Niyoyitungiye, the center will not only improve access to health care but also strengthen the sense of belonging to the community.
“We are more involved in health-related decisions and our voice is heard,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of a community that is taking charge of its health, and I look forward to a better future for my children and all the families of Gahambwe.”
Ndayisenga is a communicator for the Burundi Conference.
Contact UM News: Julie Dwyer at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more news from The United Methodist Church, subscribe to free UM News summaries.
