From International Medical Travel Journal

Since a national insurance system was launched in Rwanda, citizens regularly cross the Burundi border to get better, cheaper care.

Rwanda is a poor rural country with and although it has a national insurance system, local hospitals are every strict on not offering free treatment even if just one family member at an address is not recorded as having paid for their health insurance card. Records are poorly kept and hospitals use any excuse.

Across the border in neighboring Burundi, doctors and nurses are less strict; the National Health Service is also much less expensive, and available both for Burundians and Rwandese. The Burundian health service is fast and efficient and often treats Rwandese patients first due to the distance they travel.

Another advantage for patients crossing the border is that several Burundian hospitals are close to the border with Rwanda. Going there costs less than being transferred to more distant Rwandese hospitals. The subscription to a private insurance is optional in Burundi, as opposed to Rwanda where it is a compulsory national insurance scheme run by private insurers.

Read more at imtj.com