Ngozi Regional Hospital, located in Ngozi Province, Burundi, is facing a severe crisis due to a shortage of doctors — with the few remaining also leaving in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
The root cause, according to sources, is the government’s limited capacity to offer specialist doctors a salary that matches their workload, coupled with the lack of adequate equipment to perform their duties effectively.
According to hospital management, in just one year, more than eight experienced specialist doctors have resigned, most of them moving to seek employment in other locations.
It’s reported that many of them go to neighboring countries where they can find better-paying jobs and access to proper medical tools to support their daily tasks.
The departure of these specialists has severely affected the quality of care, with patients no longer receiving appropriate treatment. Some are even being referred to distant hospitals for proper medical attention.
The hospital director, Guillaume Ntawukuriryayo, confirmed the deterioration of services, saying: “There are many challenges in receiving and providing adequate care for patients.”
In response, the hospital administration has announced that in 2026, they will recruit four new specialist doctors with skills tailored to the specific needs of Ngozi Hospital.
For now, the hospital relies on newly graduated doctors who lack sufficient experience, creating major challenges in treating complex illnesses.
Residents of Ngozi are urging the government and hospital authorities to take swift action to restore confidence in the health system and prevent poor services or preventable deaths due to inadequate care.
