Cibitoke: the health district chief accused of favoritism in the granting of training

The health centers managers in the communes of Buganda and Rugombo in the health district of Cibitoke (northwest Burundi) are angry against the head doctor of the Cibitoke health district. They allege the director gives service advantages to relatives without taking into account skills. The provincial doctor says he is aware of the complains adding he is waiting for the outcome of investigation under way to decide. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to a medical source in Cibitoke, the head of the Cibitoke health district goes further in the work.

“During meetings or capacity building training, he gives himself the right to replace participants with relatives without taking into account skills. Even worse, he imposes the sharing of mission expenses and per diems of participants with him”, according to a nurse who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The health center managers speak of an “unacceptable” situation.

They ask the hierarchy to take up the issue and enforce the selection criteria for participants in training as is the case in other districts of Mabayi, Ndora or Murwi. The leaders of these districts are urged to emphasize competence, transparency and fairness in the granting of service benefits.

Contacted on this subject, the provincial doctor of Cibitoke, responsible for all health districts, acknowledged being aware of these complaints. Dr. Égide Ndayishimiye said he was waiting for the results of an ongoing investigation to be able to provide more details on this situation.