Head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova held talks with the Minister of Health and the Fight against AIDS of the Republic of Burundi, Lidwin Baradahana, on the sidelines of the second Russian-African International Conference on Combating Infectious Diseases. The sides discussed prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological security, a correspondent for African Initiative reports.
The head of Rospotrebnadzor discussed with the minister the exchange of information on scientific research and the coordination of joint activities for monitoring socially significant infections in Burundi.
Cooperation between the countries has been developing since 2022, when a relevant memorandum was signed. In July 2023, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, the sides approved a joint action plan for its implementation.
As Rospotrebnadzor noted, as part of the partnership, Russia provided Burundi with support in developing its laboratory base and implementing modern diagnostic methods. In 2024, a mobile laboratory was delivered to the country, which operates on the basis of a joint Russian-Burundian scientific center for the study of infectious diseases.
Russian specialists also participated in the elimination of a monkeypox outbreak in 2024. The agency reported that as part of assistance to the Burundian side, more than 300 test systems were supplied, local specialists were trained, and an assessment of the epidemiological situation was provided.
Over the entire period of cooperation, approximately 125 Burundian specialists have been trained in Russian methods. Additionally, the Russian side carried out work to clarify the boundaries of natural infection foci and zoning of the country's territory, which has increased the effectiveness of epidemiological control.
Earlier in April, Rospotrebnadzor's press service announced that the agency was ready to assist Burundi in eliminating an outbreak of an unknown disease in the northwest of the country.