File(s) not publicly available
Burundi's 'worst enemy': The country's fight against covid-19
journal contribution
posted on 2021-01-01, 00:00 authored by E Manirambona, H Reddy, E Uwiringiyimana, T Uwizeyimana, A Kamath, S A Parepalli, S S Ruzats, B Ntacyabukura, Shariful IslamShariful Islam, A Ahmadi, D E Lucero-PrisnoCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proved to be a severe global public health threat, causing high infection rates and mortality worldwide. Burundi was not spared the adverse health outcomes of COVID-19. Although Burundi’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized, hope arose in June 2020 when the new government instituted a plan to slow virus transmission that included public health campaigns, international travel restrictions, and mass testing, all of which proved effective. Burundi has faced many challenges in containing the virus, the first of which was the lack of initial preparedness and appropriate response to COVID-19. This was exacerbated by factors including shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), limited numbers of life-saving ventilators (around 12 ventilators as of April 2020), and the presence of only one COVID-19 testing center with less than ten technicians in July 2020. Moreover, as Burundi is amongst the poorest countries in the world, some citizens were unable to access necessities such as water and soap, required for compliance with government recommendations regarding hygiene. Interestingly, Burundi did not implement a nationwide lockdown, allowing mass gatherings and public services to continue as usual due to a firm belief in God’s protection. As the daily confirmed cases have tripled since December 2020, Burundi must prepare itself for the threat of a new wave. Establishing precautionary measures to contain the virus and strengthening the health surveillance system in Burundi would significantly positively impact the prevention and management of COVID-19.
History
Journal
KesmasVolume
16Pagination
55 - 58Publisher
Kesmas: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat NasionalLocation
Depok, IndonesiaPublisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1907-7505eISSN
2460-0601Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC