Burundian gov’t declares COVID-19 country’s biggest challenge

Former president Pierre Nkurunziza who died in June downplayed the dangers of the pandemic and often claimed God had spared Burundi from the global disease.

Speaking during the inauguration of his government in parliament on Tuesday, June 30, Ndayishimiye declared COVID-19 Burundi’s biggest enemy and urged citizens to take precautionary measures going forward.

“I declare the Covid-19 pandemic the biggest enemy of Burundians because it is clear it is becoming their biggest concern. We firmly commit ourselves to fight this virus,” said Ndayishimiye.

The president urged citizens who would exhibit symptoms related to COVID-19 to go for testing at a government-designated facility.

The Burundian leader said his government through the Ministry of Health was working on plans to set up more testing ad isolation centres across the country to ensure any suspected case is attended to.

“We will hunt down this enemy wherever he hides and even when his presence is suspected. Everyone must know the coronavirus is a pandemic which transmits easily, and which kills if you take it lightly,’ added Ndayishimiye.

Burundi has not been adhering to heath protocols prescribed by the World Health Organisation to deal with the pandemic.

Nkurunziza’s government even evicted WHO officials who attempted to push for adoption and implementation of safety measures to curb the spread of the virus.

In May, the country held a full-blown nationwide campaign which culminated into Ndayishimiye’s election as the president.

Nkururnziza later passed on on June 9, just 10 days after his wife Denise was flown to Nairobi and admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital over suspected coronavirus disease.

So far Burundi has recorded 176 infections and one death.