Kinama: a new laboratory – hope for refugees and host community

The health center of the Kinama refugee camp in northeastern Burundi recently benefited from a modern laboratory, built with the support of the International Diabetes Federation. This facility replaces an old restricted space that only offered a limited number of tests including malaria, pregnancy tests, HIV screenings and sputum tests for tuberculosis.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Now, Congolese refugees in the camp and members of the host community from the surrounding hills of this Congolese refugee site benefit from access to more efficient medical diagnostic services.

Unlike the old laboratory, the new space is equipped with modern equipment allowing a wide range of medical tests. Health workers have also received training to master the use of this new equipment and guarantee the quality of the results.

“Before, for a simple medical examination, you had to go to the hospital in Muyinga, which took a long time, was difficult and expensive. Now, everything is easier. I am really grateful,” rejoiced N.B, a refugee from Kinama who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi.

A 50-year-old refugee shared: “I lost a friend because of an illness that was not diagnosed in time. Now, with this laboratory, we have the opportunity to get results more quickly. This gives us hope.”

Members of the host community are also rejoicing.

“As a member of the host community, I am grateful for this laboratory. We often need medical care, and now we can access it without having to travel far. This is a big step, a great show of solidarity and an asset for the health of the entire population,” said a father from the locality.

A refugee representative described the lab as “a real blessing”.
“Health is a fundamental right, and with this lab, we have a chance to ensure a better future for all”.

A health worker assigned to the camp’s health centre said that “we are grateful to UNHCR and its donor for the new lab. We now have the tools to detect and treat various diseases. This will allow for better prevention and appropriate medical follow-up for all, whether refugees or locals”.

The new lab is more than just an infrastructure; it is a symbol of hope and prospects for the Kinama refugees and the host community, added a member of the camp’s health committee.

Kinama camp, located in Gasorwe commune in Muyinga province (northeast), is home to more than 7,000 Congolese refugees, mainly from the Banyamulenge community, originally from South Kivu in eastern Congo.