The Umugiraneza Foundation on Friday received new ophthalmological equipment donated by China to support cataract treatment services in Burundi, as officials announced that future patients at the facility will no longer receive free care.
The equipment was handed over during a ceremony in Bujumbura attended by Burundi’s First Lady Angéline Ndayishimiye and Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhu Kewei as part of the “Walk Towards the Light” campaign.
The device is expected to strengthen treatment capacity at the LACAN Center, where Chinese and Burundian medical teams have been carrying out cataract surgeries over recent days.
Speaking during the event, Angéline Ndayishimiye praised what she described as continued support from Chinese medical teams involved in eye treatment campaigns in Burundi.
“The first 45 patients treated in Kibimba all regained their sight after surgery,” she said.
She added that more than 100 patients had already undergone operations at the LACAN Center within three days under the latest phase of the campaign.
However, the First Lady also announced that future treatment at the center would no longer be offered free of charge, saying the facility needed sustainable financing to continue operating.
“Patients will continue to be welcomed, but every patient must have the means to pay the bill,” she said.
According to Ndayishimiye, the introduction of fees is intended to help maintain medical equipment, support staff salaries and finance the future expansion of the center.
The announcement comes as Burundi continues to face major eye health challenges, particularly cataracts, which remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness globally, according to the World Health Organization.
Chinese Ambassador Zhu Kewei said China would continue supporting Burundi’s health sector through medical cooperation initiatives.
“We are pleased to organize the ‘Walk Towards the Light’ campaign for the third time,” Zhu said, adding that more than 100 patients had already received operations during the current campaign.
The ambassador also commended initiatives led by the Umugiraneza Foundation in improving healthcare access.
