Attacks on Ebola centres intensify in eastern DRC amid outbreak fears | News
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Attacks on Ebola health facilities are escalating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the World Health Organization issues warnings of a potential worsening of the outbreak in both the DRC and Uganda.
On Thursday, a group of angry residents stormed the Rwampara health center, demanding the return of bodies of relatives who had died from Ebola. This incident was corroborated by local sources as well as partners of the Congolese government involved in the response efforts.
The following day, a tent provided by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) at a hospital in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, was set ablaze. The NGO Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) reported that healthcare staff had isolated the body of a patient exhibiting symptoms of Ebola, in compliance with stringent health protocols. While preparations were underway for a safe burial, tensions escalated, resulting in the destruction of two tents.
Despite the incident, ALIMA confirmed that the body was secured for a dignified burial, adhering to Ebola response standards. Health workers in the region frequently encounter resistance to strict burial protocols designed to mitigate further transmission of the virus. Aid agencies noted that such tensions are often fueled by fear, misinformation, and a lack of trust toward medical teams.
Local resident Gloire Idriss expressed concern over the widespread belief that Ebola is exploited for profit. “When healthcare providers refuse to hand over the bodies of those who have died from Ebola, people think they might be trafficking their organs,” he said.
The Congolese health minister emphasized the importance of handling the bodies of Ebola victims with care, warning that they remain highly contagious. Roger Kamba stated, “Let us bury the deceased safely. The dead must not take others with them into the grave.”
In the eastern DRC, cultural customs often involve relatives and neighbors gathering to pay their last respects, which may include touching the body. Local resident Lokana Jean recounted the heartache of not being able to say goodbye to his daughter, who also succumbed to Ebola. “It still upsets me that I had to watch her funeral helplessly without our cultural rites,” he said.
As of Saturday, nearly 180 deaths and approximately 800 cases of Ebola have been recorded, according to the Congolese Ministry of Public Health. In response, authorities in Ituri have implemented measures including restrictions on public gatherings, suspension of wake services, and a ban on the movement of bodies.
Dr. Rodriguez Kisando, a specialist in health and the environment, highlighted how violence targeting Ebola treatment facilities is often fueled by misinformation. “If accurate information is not shared fast, people will believe anything, and that is when violence takes hold,” he said. He warned that violence against treatment centers and patients fleeing care could exacerbate the outbreak.
Amid decreasing international aid, Congolese authorities reported that the national treasury is funding a significant portion of the response, although shortages are increasingly apparent. ALIMA has called for enhanced international support to adequately detect, treat, and prevent Ebola.
A senior Congolese official involved in the response in Rwampara, speaking anonymously, noted that treatment centers are overwhelmed. “We are receiving new confirmed cases almost every day. The resources we have are not enough for the scale of the outbreak,” he said.
Regional authorities are urging residents in Ituri and North Kivu to practice regular handwashing, maintain distance from the sick, cook food thoroughly, avoid self-medication, and trust response teams. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has placed ten African countries on high alert, including South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya.
In coordination, the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan have committed to enhancing cross-border efforts, including surveillance, early warning systems, and improved laboratory and response capabilities.
