Dr. Jean de Dieu Igirubuntu is a first-year anesthesia resident at AIC Kijabe Hospital, pursuing a four-year residency program. Originally from Burundi, he practiced medicine for four years at Kibuye Mission Hospital before joining the PAACS program. Reflecting on the state of healthcare in Burundi, he notes that as of 2018, the country had only five anesthesiologists, highlighting the immense need for specialists in this field.
Jean’s dream of becoming a doctor was inspired during his teenage years when he accompanied his grandmother to a hospital. He encountered two contrasting experiences: a kind, patient, and compassionate doctor who treated his grandmother with care and another doctor who lacked empathy and professionalism. These moments deeply shaped Jean’s aspirations, leading him to commit to serving patients with compassion and “the fear of the Lord.” He shares, “I knew that if I could be like that good doctor and inspire someone else to be a good doctor, it would create a ripple effect and improve the healthcare system.”
His passion for anesthesia was ignited during his medical school rotations in the operating theater. He recalls a tragic incident where a mother undergoing an elective cesarean section died due to complications from spinal anesthesia in a low-resource setting. This experience profoundly impacted him: “Seeing someone come in healthy for an elective surgery and then lose their life spurred my passion for anesthesia.” He also recognized the imbalance in Burundi’s healthcare system, where surgeons are trained but anesthesiologists remain scarce.
Jean learned about PAACS through conferences and colleagues and was drawn to its Christian foundation and holistic approach to medical training. “What motivated me was knowing it’s a Christian program that focuses on spiritual growth alongside professional development,” he says. Since joining PAACS, Jean has found the program exceeds his expectations, particularly through organized Bible studies that equip residents with spiritual insights to share with their patients.
Training at Kijabe has provided Jean with excellent mentorship and discipleship. He appreciates the supportive consultants who guide residents and acknowledges the efforts of the education department in ensuring international students feel safe and cared for. “I am grateful for the hospital’s accommodation support, which made it easier for my wife and me to relocate here,” he adds. Jean also commends ongoing efforts by hospital management to expand resident housing facilities.
Jean values the strong Burundian community in Kijabe as his support system and acknowledges his wife’s sacrifices in standing by him throughout this journey. Looking ahead, Jean hopes to return to Burundi after completing his training to address the critical need for anesthesiologists. He aspires not only to practice but also to train others, fostering growth in anesthesia and other specialties within his home country.
Jean’s faith journey has been pivotal in shaping his life and career. At just two years old, he lost his father in a homicide, but later found healing through forgiveness after hearing a sermon during an elementary school crusade. He dedicated his life to Christ and holds onto John 1:12: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” This scripture continues to guide him as he relies on prayer and God’s Word throughout his medical training.
Dr. Jean Igurubuntu exemplifies resilience, faith, and dedication as he pursues his calling to serve patients with compassion while striving to make a lasting impact on healthcare in Burundi.
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Story by Esther Waweru, Education Partner Coordinator