Burundian minister hails Rwanda's birth control policy

Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) – Burundian health minister, Mrs Sabine Ntakarutimana, on Tuesday hailed Rwanda's birth control policy, saying her country needs to learn from it to check its rising population.

Speaking before the Rwandan parliamentary committee on social affairs, she said there were many things her country could share with Rwanda, in view of Burundi's fast rising population.

A recent report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) puts Burundi's population at about 8 million, with a population density of 105 inhabitants per square kilometre, which ranks it among one of the highest worldwide, just like Rwanda.

"The provision of primary health care in Rwanda constitutes one of the programmes likely to serve as a model to Burundi through immunization campaigns, birth assistance and pre-natal care," said Mrs Ntakarutimana, who led a delegation of Burundian officials to Rwanda.

"Burundi, which shares with Rwanda the same language and culture, wants to learn many things in the area of health reform," she said.
-0- PANA TWA/TBM/SOC/PAP/MA 15March2011