Kirundo : a hospital without a director for two months, operations paralyzed

SOS Médias Burundi

Kirundo, October 28, 2025 – Since the departure of Dr. Prosper Nimubona, former director of Kirundo Hospital in Butanyerera Province, northern Burundi, at the beginning of August 2025, this public institution has been operating at a reduced capacity. The doctor left for France to pursue specialized studies, but several questions surround his departure.

According to sources within the hospital, the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight Against AIDS dispatched an inspection team after receiving complaints related to its management. The preliminary report reportedly details numerous irregularities and financial malfeasance.

Suspicions of embezzlement and mismanagement

One of the most controversial points in the report concerns the maintenance of the hospital vehicles. According to testimonies gathered, several cars were sent to Ngozi, more than 60 kilometers away, for repairs or simple oil changes, even though garages exist in Kirundo.

“Imagine having to travel all the way to Ngozi for simple repairs whereas there are mechanics in Kirundo! It’s outrageous! The medical director deserves to be sanctioned,” confided a general practitioner on condition of anonymity.

Several staff members describe Dr. Nimubona as authoritarian and solitary, refusing all advice. Other sources indicate that he hastily left Kirundo to seek refuge in Bujumbura, fearing possible administrative repercussions.

A hospital paralyzed by the lack of leadership

For two months, no medical director has been officially appointed to replace Dr. Nimubona. This vacancy has direct consequences :

Contract staff have not been paid since August due to a lack of authorized signatures.

Private bills and other routine expenses are frozen.

Several medical activities requiring administrative approvals are suspended.

Pending the appointment of a new director, the hospital is being managed by the recently appointed administrator, who previously held the same position in the Busoni health district (same region), supported by other department heads. However, according to several employees, this interim management is unable to resolve urgent problems requiring the approval of a medical director.

A political power struggle over leadership

An attempt at a solution was initiated. A former director of the Busoni distict hospital was appointed to serve as interim director in Kirundo. But, according to several witnesses, officials from the CNDD-FDD party, the ruling party in Burundi, in Butanyerera province, opposed her appointment, arguing that she was “not well enough known” to the party.

As a result, the doctor was dismissed after a week and sent back to her former post in Busoni.

The population is calling for urgent intervention

Faced with this situation, the residents of Kirundo are expressing their frustration. Many are denouncing political interference in the management of healthcare facilities and are calling on provincial authorities to take action.

“We want a hospital that functions normally, not an institution paralyzed by political squabbles,” a resident of Kirundo’s town center declared indignantly.

While awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Health, Kirundo Hospital remains without a director, much to the dismay of staff and patients.