In Burundi, the IZERE pilot project aims to improve the management of all aspects of mental health (biological, psychosocial and societal) for the populations of the municipalities of Mwumba and Kiremba, in the province of Ngozi. Through this project, Louvain Coopération aims to provide medical care for mental disorders and psychological distress, but also to promote the socio-economic reintegration of patients and change society's perception of mental health.
In 2017, following the launch of the project, visits were organised to hospitals that integrate mental health care into primary care, as well as to neuropsychiatric centres (CNP). Subsequently, a partnership agreement was signed between the Kamenge CNP and our partner, the Bureau d'Appui au Développement et à l'Entraide Communautaire (BADEC). This enabled the launch of specific training for healthcare providers in the field of mental health.