In Burundi, multiple doctors have been arrested for resigning over low salaries, demanding a fourfold increase from their current pay of $170 monthly. The government responded by detaining them, claiming they threatened national security. This situation follows years of a healthcare worker shortage in the country, especially after many left during the Covid-19 pandemic due to financial constraints.
In Burundi, a troubling situation has emerged where several doctors are facing imprisonment for resigning from their positions amid complaints of low salaries. Since late 2024, at least five physicians have been detained by the intelligence services, with reports of threats directed at other medical personnel. The doctors, who had sought a fourfold salary increase from a meager $170 per month, initially resigned from their private clinics yet continued to provide services in public hospitals, leading to their arrest by security forces, which claim they posed a threat to national security.
Burundi has long confronted a significant shortage of medical professionals, exacerbated by financial constraints that compel many doctors to seek better employment opportunities abroad. The recent detentions have sparked widespread concern, particularly as the government had previously disregarded the doctors’ calls for a salary increase. The subsequent arrests further highlight the dire situation within the healthcare system, whereby disputes over pay can lead to accusations of treason and undermining public security.
The ongoing detainment of doctors in Burundi underscores critical issues surrounding healthcare and the government’s treatment of medical professionals. With a dire need for reform in compensation and working conditions, the risk of further resignations looms large. As professionals express their discontent, the future of healthcare in the nation remains precarious without substantial changes.
Original Source: globalsouthworld.com
