2024-01-25 16:34:52
Closing workshop in Mwaro: end of the sexual and reproductive health project funded by Germany. Controversy over anti-natalist programs financed by the West in Africa.
Gitega (Mwaro), 25/01/2024 – In accordance with Burundi’s health policy, the Mwaro provincial health office organized a closing workshop for the “Performance-based financing in Sexual and Reproductive Health” project. This project, led by Cordaid and financed by the German bank KfW Bankengruppe since 2020, aims to improve reproductive health care in the region.
Based on current demographics [1], Africa, with a density of 47 inhabitants per square kilometer (hts/km²) in 2022, is considered underpopulated compared to other continents. This situation contrasts sharply with the population densities in Asia (151.5 people/km² in 2023) and in Europe (114 people/km² in 2023). Burundi, in particular, displays a density of 422.50 inhabitants/km² (linked to a large amputation of its territory during colonization in 1922 for the benefit of British Tanzania), surpassing that of countries with the same surface area such as Belgium (370 hts/km²), or the Netherlands (420.86 hts/km²). On the other hand, Burundi has underpopulated neighboring countries such as the DRC (27 people/km²), Tanzania (62.9 people/km²), etc.
In this context, critical voices [2] speak out against Western policies perceived as anti-natalist in Africa, particularly through support for birth control projects, women’s education, and scandals linked to vaccination programs (sterilizations). These policies are often financed by institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.
In Burundi, health policy is strongly influenced by WHO directives, financed mainly by private entities, including the Gates Foundation. This influence is manifested in practices such as the vaccination of children without parental consent, an approach criticized by certain sectors of Burundian society.
Faced with these challenges, Burundi is called upon to strengthen its health sovereignty, by promoting traditional care practices. According to the WHO, 80% of Africans still use traditional medicine, while only 20% use hospital services. In addition, the emigration of African doctors to countries like Canada or France raises challenges in achieving a balance between doctors and patients on the continent.
In this context, Burundi should consider relying more on its “ubumu”, or its traditional socio-economic plan, to guide its health strategy. The knowledge and practices of the Baganga, traditional Barundi healers, as well as other socio-economic figures such as the Bahanuzi, the Batwa, and the Bavyeyi b’abana, are considered valuable resources for a holistic approach to public health.
NOTES :
[1] The demography of sub-Saharan Africa in the 21st century; Assessment of changes from 2000 to 2020, perspectives and challenges by 2050; Dominique Tabutin, Bruno Schoumaker, ed. In Population 2020/2-3 (Vol. 75).
[2] Burundi: Demography – Eurocentrism facing Afrocentrism – https://burundi-agnews.org/societe/burundi-demographie-galopante-eurocentrisme-face-a-lafrocentrisme/
Sources: Nahimana P., Thursday January 25, 2024 | Photo: ABP
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