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Burundi
-- Health
The
health system
was doing
fairly well
in 1993; but
it was damaged
severely by
the ethnic
violence that
followed.
The health
ministry was
adept at long
range planning
and had competent
leadership.
Burundi boasted
34 hospitals
and 270 clinics.
In 1994, the
HIV infection
rate was 2%
(15% in urban
areas and
1% in rural
areas).
However,
since 1993,
medical staff
have been
caught up
in the internal
conflict and
have, at times,
been targets
of ethnic
violence.
Mass displacements,
war, a deteriorating
road system,
and an international
embargo have
made access
to health
care difficult
if not impossible.
There has
been a dangerous
increase in
malnutrition
and life threatening
diseases.
The refugee
camps have
been hit hard
by infectious
diseases.
International
humanitarian
aid since
1997 has been
hampered by
a deteriorating
transportation
infrastructure
that has had
many roads
washed away
by heavy rains.
Sanctions
have led to
a dramatic
increase in
the price
of medicines;
however, this
problem was
alleviated
somewhat by
exemptions
for medicine
in the embargo
that went
into effect
in April of
1997. [1]
[1]
The Economist
Intelligence
Unit. 1998-99.
Country
Profile. Rwanda
and Burundi.
The Unit:
London.
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