Fatal surgery in Gitega : double death and two anesthesiologists detained

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, April 4, 2026 — A medical tragedy has shaken Gitega province, in the center of the small East African nation. Two anesthesiologists have been arrested and detained after the deaths of two patients during surgical procedures at Kibuye Hope Hospital.

According to local sources, the two people arrested are Dr. Christine Nadia, 27 years old, a Congolese national, and Dr. Gad Ndihokubwayo, 26 years old, a Burundian national. They were apprehended on Friday, April 3, 2026, while working at the hospital. They were forcibly taken to the police station in Bukirasazi, where they are currently held.

According to eyewitness accounts, their arrest stems from a surgical procedure that went wrong. The two anesthesiologists are suspected of administering inappropriate anesthesia to two patients undergoing cesarean sections in the operating room.

This alleged medical error reportedly led to serious complications, resulting in the deaths of the two women. The victims have been identified as Julie Nzirubusa, 37 years old, and Félicité Kwizera, 23 years old. Their bodies were transferred to the hospital morgue after the tragedy.

When contacted, the hospital administration confirmed the events. Dr. Gilbert Kibinakanwa, medical director of Hope Hospital in Kibuye, indicated that the two anesthesiologists had been handed over to the appropriate authorities to allow for an investigation and to determine responsibility.

An investigation is underway to shed light on the exact circumstances of this double death, which has deeply affected the local population.

Beyond the emotion, this tragedy raises further questions about the working conditions of healthcare staff and the safety guarantees for patients in the country’s healthcare facilities.