An angry mob has stormed part of Rwampara Hospital in the Ebola outbreak zone of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
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NSANZIMANA SylverMay 22, 20262 min read0 Comments
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An angry mob has stormed part of Rwampara Hospital in the Ebola outbreak zone of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The protests were sparked by the family and friends of a young man suspected of dying from Ebola being prevented from taking his body to the cemetery for burial as per their traditions.
Local politician Luc Malembe Malembe told the BBC what he saw at Rwampara Hospital: "They started throwing things at the hospital. They even burned down tents that were being used as Ebola isolation rooms." Photos posted on social media showed flames burning inside the hospital's treatment rooms.
Amid the chaos, police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Although no one was reported killed, the chaos caused panic among patients and medical staff at the hospital. Security vehicles arrived at the scene to restore calm.
Health officials say the body of someone who has died from Ebola is highly contagious. That's why the DR Congo government and the World Health Organization (WHO) are urging that bodies of those who have died from the virus be buried according to safety guidelines, including dressing those who carry them in special clothing and not allowing traditional rituals such as washing or touching the body.
Rwampara Hospital, near the city of Bunia in Ituri province, is where many suspected Ebola patients are being treated. Due to the severity of the incident, the DR Congo army has been deployed to guard the hospital, while police have moved in to restore security and order in the devastated areas.
A medical worker was injured by stone-throwing protesters, one of the workers told AFP. He was recently treated, but doctors said the incident raised concerns for the health of staff who continue to treat Ebola patients in difficult conditions.
The incident has highlighted the growing distrust between residents and health workers in eastern Congo. Such protests could help the virus spread more quickly, as patients are reluctant to go to the hospital and bodies may be handled improperly. Experts are calling on the government to reach out to village leaders and elders to explain the reasons for the Ebola burial restrictions, in order to prevent further protests and halt the outbreak.
Tuganire newsroom
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NSANZIMANA Sylver
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