CDH/VICAR raises an urgent alert concerning the life of BUZOYA Matthew, a Burundian refugee currently facing a critical medical emergency in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. He is suffering from a severe and visible swelling in the throat, a condition that poses an immediate risk to his life. Despite the seriousness of his state, he remains confined to the health center in Zone 8, which lacks the medical capacity required to treat his condition adequately.
Medical personnel at the Zone 8 health center have reportedly issued multiple recommendations for his transfer to a better-equipped hospital. However, none of these referrals have been acted upon. According to information provided by nurses on site, UNHCR has repeatedly failed or refused to authorize the transfer, leaving the patient in prolonged medical limbo while his condition continues to deteriorate.
This case reflects a broader and deeply troubling pattern observed in refugee camps, where preventable deaths occur due to delayed decisions, administrative inertia, or outright negligence in medical referrals. Refugees are frequently left without access to specialized care, even when local health providers clearly identify the need for urgent intervention. Such failures undermine the fundamental right to health and violate the principle of humane treatment of displaced persons.
CDH/VICAR calls for immediate action to authorize the transfer of BUZOYA Matthew to a specialized hospital without further delay. The organization also urges UNHCR and relevant humanitarian actors to review referral procedures, ensure accountability for medical decision-making, and prioritize the preservation of life. Refugees must not be left to die from treatable conditions due to institutional negligence. Respect for human dignity demands swift and decisive action.
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