Pregnant women, children and others in need now have access to lifesaving care with the opening of the Gahambwe Health Center in the community of Nyabitsinda.
The project was led by the United Methodist Church of Burundi, with financial support from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
A Dream is Born
“This is a dream born 16 years ago that The United Methodist Church of Burundi has just made a reality,” said the Rev. Japhet Nderibicuro, superintendent of the Kinyinya District. “This community dream has finally come true, marking a major turning point for access to health care in the region.”
Until now, the inhabitants of Nyabitsinda and the surrounding area had to travel more than 7 kilometers (over 4 miles) to reach the nearest health center, a distance that made it difficult for pregnant women and children in particular to access care quickly and regularly.
As part of the partnership between the church and Burundi, the government donated a batch of medical equipment worth 24,422,440 BIF ($8,203.84 USD), a gesture welcomed by Sinzohagera.
The Gahambwe Health Center has all the infrastructure needed to meet the population’s needs: accommodation for men and women, a maternity block, waiting room, an administrative and treatment block, modern toilets, solar electricity, a morgue and secure fencing.
“This dream has been transformed into action,” said the Rev. Japhet Nderibicuro, superintendent of the Kinyinya District, during the March 30 inauguration of the center.
“Today, we are blessed. This promise has been kept: By the grace of God, the Gahambwe Health Center is now complete.”
Health Coverage for Burundi Area
The center will contribute to universal health coverage and the fight against avoidable maternal and infant mortality, said Dr. Aloys Nyabenda, health coordinator for the Burundi Area.
A new grant awarded by Global Ministries this year will be used to build capacity through financial support of a midwife, quarterly training for staff and lab assistants, and regular training and support for 20 community health workers, which includes transportation, communication and monthly meetings with the facility head, says Kathy Griffith.
The grant also will provide essential medicines, reproductive health equipment and operational tools like registers and a tablet for data tracking.
“To support broader community health, Global Ministries is funding activities such as menstrual health training and hygiene kits for 100 girls, nutrition assistance using locally sourced food, rehabilitation of school latrines, and drilling a borehole to improve access to clean water,” Griffith said. “These investments are helping transform Gahambwe Health Center into a fully equipped, community-centered facility.”
In its first two months of operation, the center welcomed almost 5,000 patients, including over 3,000 children under the age of 5 and 258 pregnant women.
Your Generosity Helps Others
By supporting your local congregation’s outreach ministries you impact lives of your surrounding communities and those around the world. No matter what part of the world we live in, your generosity can reach across oceans and help churches like Harare Inner-City help those that are less fortunate.
excerpt from a story by Jérôme Ndayisenga, communicator for the Burundi Conference.
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. A vital congregation is the body of Christ making and engaging disciples for the transformation of the world. Vital congregations are shaped by and witnessed through four focus areas: calling and shaping principled Christian leaders; creating and sustaining new places for new people; ministries with poor people and communities; and abundant health for all.
