Health Sector
Health care center
Burundi’s health system suffers from a lack of adequate infrastructure and human resources to meet urgent community health needs. There is poor geographical access to health centers as mountainous terrain of some areas in Burundi makes it difficult for people to access health facilities physically.
The country doctor to patient ratio is 0.1: 1,000 while the recommended doctor to patient ratio by the World Health Organization is 1: 1,000.
The average life expectancy at birth in EAC region is 58, Burundi’s life expectancy at birth is 52 years. The EAC population is very young, they constitute the largest segment of the population with over half of the population aged below 15 in 2012. The region is on the verge of a major epidemiologic transition. HIV, lower respiratory infection and diarrheal disease are among the leading cause of death. According to the World Health Organization non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, heart disease…) deaths are projected to overtake communicable disease in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Non-communicable diseases are estimated to account for 32% of all deaths in Burundi. 12% of these deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there are no dedicated facilities in Burundi to deal with this problem both in terms of prevention or care for the large number of affected individuals.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
The quasi-absence of pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry in Burundi justifies the exorbitant value of sanitary products imports; running up to US$ 62 million in 2019 alone.
It is clear that there are billions to be made by potential investors in this health sector. To facilitate any act of investment, the State of Burundi has set up the Zone Economique Spéciale (ZES Burundi) which is creating an ideal business environment.
The unnecessarily high number of imports can be seen across the board, in the East african community, where manufacturers based from Burundi can sell their products. This bloc has recorded a steady increase of imports over the years. In 2016, it imported drugs worth a staggering 473 million dollars. Two years later, the number was nearly twice as high.
A large number of medicines in the region are sourced from either China or India which have a 52 % stake in the market. Moreover, most of the drugs imported to the EAC are generics. For instance, their penetration in the Kenyan market is 62 %.
Some of therapeutic lines which are not supplied
A survey done by GIZ-EAC identified various therapeutic lines which are currently not catered for by manufacturers in the region.
- The first
Has to do with the alimentary tract and metabolism, it includes anti-obesity preparations, digestives, tonics, systemic anabolic, appetite stimulants as well as other alimentary tract and metabolism products, and so forth.
- The second
Is constituted by products which are used for blood forming organs and it includes anticoagulants, antihemorrhagics, plasma substitutes and perfusion solution, etc.
- The third
Genito-urinary system and hormones: gynecological (such as contraceptives), urological, thyroid preparations, pancreatic hormones, etc.
- The fourth
Comprises of Systemic anti-infectives, like immune sera and immunoglobulins, vaccines, among others.
- The fifth
Is made up of diagnostic agents, surgical antiseptics, allergens, immunosuppressive drugs, general nutrients, etc.
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