Bienfait Cakweri
In Bujumbura, the Rotary Club Bujumbura Great Lakes has officially handed over a major neonatal project to Prince Regent Charles Hospital. Valued at approximately €100,000, the initiative aims to strengthen newborn care while significantly improving mothers’ comfort.
The Rotary Club Bujumbura Great Lakes officially handed over the neonatal project to Prince Regent Charles Hospital.
The Rotary Club’s initiative has gone beyond infrastructure: it included training for biomedical engineers, renovation of neonatal wards, and the acquisition of incubators, all with the goal of improving the quality of care for newborns and enhancing maternal comfort.
The handover ceremony, held on Friday, February 27, 2026, marked the successful completion of a project designed to be “aligned with Burundi’s Vision 2040–2060.”
A Real Relief for Both Staff and Patients
According to Dr. Oscar Nimpaye, Director General of Prince Regent Charles Hospital, the project represents “a real relief for both staff and patients. Renovation works—including painting, plumbing, electrical systems, roofing, and flooring—have brought the facilities up to national health standards and the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).”
He emphasized that these improvements will allow the hospital to receive more patients and enhance overall quality of care, while urging staff to maintain the facilities properly to ensure their sustainability.
Dr. Chantal Kabarenzi, Head of the Neonatal Unit at PRCH, explained that the renovations have significantly improved patient flow: “Previously, the pathway used to bring a newborn to the mother for breastfeeding passed through highly trafficked areas. Thanks to the renovation, a corridor now directly connects the breastfeeding room to the incubators, reducing the risk of contamination and infection.”
A Solidarity-Based Partnership for a Lasting Impact on Maternal and Child Health
Emmanuel Okolotum, President of the Rotary Club Bujumbura Great Lakes, described the project as a concrete illustration of the Rotary theme “Unite for Good.”
“Together, we are creating a lasting impact. Before the renovation, the buildings were in very poor condition. Today, thanks to the rehabilitation works and the installation of new equipment, conditions are optimal for welcoming newborns and their mothers,” he stated.
He also highlighted the life-saving importance of the initiative: “Many newborns lose their lives due to the lack of appropriate care. This project will help save lives and offer children a better future.” The total cost of the project is estimated at around €100,000, covering training, renovation works, and the purchase of incubators.
The infrastructure upgrades were further detailed by Denis Nkurunziza, Building Manager at PRCH: “Gutters have been repaired, bathrooms renovated, outdated equipment replaced, and floodlights installed to better illuminate the ward, contributing to disease prevention among hospitalized women.”
However, Nkurunziza highlighted the need for continued support, particularly to replace the roof of the building housing mothers and children, and to construct a storage room for decommissioned equipment to prevent congestion and waste.
For the record, rehabilitation works on the neonatal building began in December 2025, financed with USD 125,000 through a joint contribution from the Rotary Club Bujumbura Great Lakes and the Rotary Club Delmar, California, under a Rotary Foundation Global Grant.
“The official handover of this project reflects a successful collaboration between the private sector, international partners, and local health stakeholders, strengthening hospital capacity and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations,” Emmanuel Okolotum concluded, adding: “The children we help today could become the leaders of tomorrow. We are working for future generations and for a sustainable impact on maternal and child health.”
