News from Burundi - july 2006
HealthNet TPO Burundi organizes mental health conference
HealthNet TPO Burundi sponsored ‘peace torch'-project.
Visit of the High Commissioner for Refugees.
Fight against Sexual Violence
HealthNet TPO Burundi organizes mental health conference
From July 25th to 27th 2006, a regional conference on the integration of
mental
health care into the basic mental health system took place in Burundi. The conference was organized by HealthNet TPO Burundi and the Ministry of Public Health.
During his speech HealthNet TPO Burundi Country Director, Mr. Herman Ndayisaba
was
delighted that such an important conference took place in Burundi for the first time on the initiative of HealthNet TPO. He also talked
about
the organization's achievements and thanked the Ministry of Public Health for their cooperation and support to our activities.
Dr. Kossi Ayigan, representative for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Burundi stressed the importance of integrating mental health in primary health care.
In his speech, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Barnabé Mbonimpa mentioned
that
mental health has been neglected in Burundi compared to physical health. However, he promised that, from now on, the
government
will do its best to change that in order to have a visible outcome by 2010.
Minister of Health of Burundi welcomed to conference by Herman Ndaysaba
(HealthNet
TPO Burundi)
After the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Joop de Jong, director Public Health
&
Research in our head office presented a public health model for mental health and psychosocial interventions in post conflict situations, and
gave data
from recent studies by HealthNet TPO on the cost effectiveness of treatment given by HealthNet TPO Burundi and treatments given by traditional African healers.
Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi (Uganda) prof Naasson Munyandsamutsa (Rwanda) prof Joop de Jong (The Netherlands) dr Achour (Algeria)
Through speeches, presentations and group discussions, the more than 80
participants
from NGOs, government and UN organizations shared experiences, successes and challenges about mental health care. Representatives
of the Ministries of Health
from Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda explained how in their respective countries the mental health care system
had
developed. Mr. Patrick Onyango, director of TPO Uganda, stressed the importance of community participation in the development of good mental
health care
for the people. Dr. Ria Reis, medical anthropologist at the University of Amsterdam talked about socio-cultural aspects of epilepsy treatment.
Participants at the conference
The conference was given wide attention by the national media in Burundi. HealthNet TPO hopes that this successful conference will encourage all
partners
(donors, government and other organizations) to give mental health a high place on their agenda.
HealthNet TPO Burundi sponsored ‘peace torch'-project.
In May, HealthNet TPO Burundi sponsored an event called the 'peace torch,' which was an idea of Burundi's President Mr. Peter Nkurunziza and organized by the Olympic National
Committee.
Through the 'peace torch', the President intended to pass the following message: "Together, let's work for a lasting peace and
a healthy environment."
The project consisted of visiting all provinces in one week. The athletes
who
participated in this activity were selected from Bujumbura. At the entry of each province, the athletes joined the local population
for
more participation and to make them feel part of the project. The torch in hand, they would run around the centers of the provinces and then
plant trees
in a place chosen by the administration of the region. After that, speeches from the government and the province representatives took place.
Several personalities, including embassy representatives in Burundi, bank officers, all United Nations organizations based in Burundi, the USAID representatives in Burundi, President of the Olympic National Committee and of course the country
director
of HealthNet TPO Burundi, Herman Ndayisaba had come for the opening ceremonies on the President's invitation. The President himself,
wearing a HN-TPO t-shirt
and holding the torch, headed the running up to Kanyosha, a district of the south periphery of Bujumbura. These festivities were held in several provinces, attracting crowds of
people
that run along with the athletes. In some provinces the festivities consisted of more than passing over the torch: In famine afflicted provinces
like
Karusi and Ruyigi food was distributed by the Olympic National Committee.
Back in Bujumbura city President Nkurunziza took over the torch and lead it to its final
destination,
the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium. There, he gave a speech to thank all the people that contributed to the implementation of the
‘peace torch' project,
especially the sponsors, the promoters and the athletes.
The President of Burundi greeting Mr.Herman Ndayisaba
The immense crowd of Makamba running around the province center.
Food distribution in Karusi by the Olympic National Committee.
Child suffering from the famine in Kirundo.
Visit of the High Commissioner for Refugees.
On Friday, June 16th, 2006 the High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres visited our office
in
Gasorwe-Muyinga. High authorities had come to welcome him: the Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender, Muyinga province representatives,
UNHCR
representatives in Burundi, the UNHCR office Director in Muyinga, and UNHCR partner organizations
in
Muyinga including HealthNet TPO.
Meeting of the High Commissioner for Refugees with Gasorwe camp administration.
Fight against Sexual Violence
On Saturday June 24th, 2006 we celebrated the day dedicated to “the fight against sexual violence''
in
the Makamba province. This celebration, which included dances and a play, was organized in the scope of the project “Gender and Sexual Violence”
executed
by HealthNet TPO in collaboration with UNICEF. The main purpose of the day was to sensitise and make people aware of the existence of the phenomenon in their community.
Mrs.Aline of HealthNet TPO giving a speech.
Traditional dances with Makamba women.
