Burundi first lady in Kenya for COVID-19 treatment

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - The Burundi first lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza is currently undergoing treatment in Kenya after being airlifted from her country to get specialized treatment at the Aga Khan University Hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

A source from the hospital seeking anonymity due to restrictions to speaking to the media confirmed to Anadolu Agency that she was airlifted by AMREF Health Africa -- formerly the African Medical and Research Foundation -- and currently under treatment, without providing further details.

Kenya’s local media has also confirmed the outgoing first lady of Burundi arrived into the country stealthily with details surrounding her arrival remaining scanty especially because only those who have tested negative are allowed into the country.

Kenya’s Citizen Television reported: "Her husband [President] Pierre Nkurunziza was not in the flight and she was accompanied by three bodyguards one who also tested positive”.

Health experts have warned that Burundi remains the only country in Africa which has not enacted any policy to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Republic of Burundi just concluded its presidential election in May amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Weeks before the election, Burundi expelled a World Health Organization coronavirus team tasked with helping the country to respond to the pandemic.

As per government records, Burundi has 42 confirmed COVID-19 cases, while 20 have recovered and only one death has been recorded.

The pandemic has claimed more than 365,500 lives in 188 countries and regions since originating in China last December. The US, Brazil and Russia are currently the world’s worst-hit countries.

More than 5.95 million cases have been reported worldwide. Over 2.51 million people have recovered so far, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.