We received a message this morning from our friend Boaz at Kibimba Hospital. I had to just copy and paste it here for you to hear the great news of what God is doing and can do with proper knowledge and equipment at Kibimba!!!!

How Four Days of Training Revealed the Power of Preparedness at Kibimba Hospital, Burundi

October 2026 | A Story of Training, Teamwork, and Hope

Sometimes, the true value of training becomes evident much sooner than anyone expects.

In October 2026, Kibimba Hospital hosted a four-day Mobile Obstetric Simulation Training (MOST) program delivered by a team from AIC Kijabe Hospital, in collaboration with Kibuye Hope Hospital and visiting surgical partners ( from Mercy Surgeons ) The training was made possible through the generous financial support of African Mission Healthcare (AMH).

The program included two days of Training of Trainers, followed by two days of practical obstetric emergency training for 15 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and anesthesia personnel.

Through realistic simulations, participants learned to recognize obstetric emergencies, respond quickly, communicate effectively, and work together to save lives.

But what happened during those four days was something none of us could have anticipated.

From the Classroom to Real-Life Emergencies

On the eve of the training, our hospital experienced a devastating maternal death following postpartum hemorrhage. The mother’s deterioration had not been recognized and addressed early enough.

This tragedy brought painful reality to the scenarios we were about to practice.

Then, toward the end of the training, another mother developed severe bleeding following a cesarean section.

This time, a nurse who had just participated in the Training of Trainers recognized the warning signs, closely monitored the patient, and promptly called for help.

The mother required emergency surgery. Fortunately, two visiting trainers, Dr. Elvis Bugusu(OBGYN) and Dr. Greg Sandy( Anesthesiologist), were still nearby. Working alongside our hospital team, they helped manage the emergency, which ultimately required a hysterectomy and massive transfusion .

The patient was stabilized sufficiently for transfer to Kibuye Hope Hospital for continued intensive care.

While the patient’s final outcome remained uncertain, this experience demonstrated how early recognition, timely action, and teamwork can make a critical difference.

Another Life-Threatening Emergency

During that same weekend, a motorcycle rider was admitted following a road traffic accident. Initial attention had focused on his head injury, while serious internal abdominal bleeding went unrecognized.

When his condition deteriorated, a bedside ultrasound examination revealed significant blood in his abdomen.

With the hospital’s surgeon already occupied, we called upon Dr. Alliance Niyukuri, another visiting Surgeon, who responded and performed emergency surgery. A ruptured spleen was identified and removed.

Once again, the presence of experienced visiting clinicians enabled our team to provide urgently needed intervention.

An Unexpected Opportunity for Anesthesia Training

The emergencies also revealed significant opportunities to strengthen anesthesia care.

While assisting in the operating theater, Dr. Greg Sund identified important training needs among our anesthesia nurses.

In another case, he performed a regional nerve block for a critically ill patient requiring amputation, for whom general and spinal anesthesia were considered high risk.

Our anesthesia team witnessed a technique they were eager to learn and requested further training. The Team is now exploring the possibility of returning for an extended visit to provide practical mentorship and strengthen local safe obstetric care and anesthesia capacity.

More Than a Training

These experiences reminded us that training is not simply about acquiring knowledge. It is about recognizing danger, responding with confidence, and being prepared when lives are at stake.

The MOST training has inspired our newly trained instructors to continue teaching their colleagues. However, sustaining this momentum will require simulation mannequins, training equipment, continued mentorship, and broader emergency care training in obstetrics, trauma, anesthesia, and critical care.

We are deeply grateful to African Mission Healthcare, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kibuye Hope Hospital & Mercy Surgeons and the visiting clinicians whose generosity and commitment extended far beyond the classroom.

Their contribution has opened the door to something greater than a four-day course: an opportunity to build lasting emergency care capacity at Kibimba Hospital.

Our greatest hope is that one day, the ability to save a life at Kibimba will not depend on whether a visiting specialist happens to be present, but on the skills, confidence, and preparedness of the healthcare team serving here every day.

Dr. Boaz Niyinyumva
Family Physician | Kibimba Hospital, Burundi

These are stories of hope and a future hope too for Kibimba Hospital, but it is also still in a cry for further help. They do not have the necessary equipment and still need help. If you’d like to give to Kibimba Hospital project you may GIVE HERE. If you would like to give to Boaz and his precious family serving in one of the world’s poorest areas and sharing the love of Jesus with their neighbors and friends in Burundi GIVE HERE.

We are hoping to take a team in to Burundi to serve at Kibimba Hospital in 2027. If you or someone you know is interested please reach out to us!