Burundi faces a severe shortage of doctors, with most specialists concentrated in the cities and many healthcare professionals leaving the country due to economic hardship. Dr. Boaz Niyinyumva, a MedSend-supported physician, is working to change this by training national doctors and helping to launch a Family Medicine residency program. His mission is not only to provide medical care but also to equip a new generation of doctors to serve the underserved.
The Challenge: A Critical Healthcare Gap
With over 12 million people in Burundi, the majority living in rural areas, medical access is severely limited. Most trained specialists leave the country for better opportunities, leaving hospitals understaffed and ill-equipped to meet the population’s needs. “Burundi does not have family physicians,” Dr. Boaz explains. “If we replicate ourselves by reproducing other family physicians with compassionate love, we can reach many people.”
A Vision for the Future: Training National Doctors
Dr. Boaz is committed to reversing this trend by training local doctors who will stay and serve their communities. “The more specialists we have, the more people we can reach—not just with healthcare, but with the gospel,” he shares. With MedSend’s support and team of dedicated physicians working together, he is preparing to help launch a new Family Medicine residency program that will equip Burundian doctors with the skills they need to provide sustainable care.
Watch the video to hear Dr. Boaz share the impact of MedSend’s support:
The Need for Support: Equipping a New Generation of Healers
Dr. Boaz’s work is not easy. Economic struggles, logistical processes, and infrastructure challenges make launching this program a monumental task. But with the right support, lives can be changed. “We need to build housing, provide training stipends, and ensure these doctors have what they need to serve,” he explains.
Join Us in Transforming Healthcare in Burundi
MedSend’s National Scholars Program funds doctors like Dr. Boaz, ensuring they can complete their training and serve their people with quality compassionate healthcare. With your support, we can make sustainable healthcare in Burundi a reality.
