Ebola Treatment Center Set Ablaze Amid Violent Protest in Congo
On Thursday, the Ebola treatment center at Rwampara Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was destroyed during a confrontation between local police and frustrated youths attempting to retrieve the body of an Ebola victim.
Rwanpara Hospital, located near the city of Bunia in the Ituri Department, is at the heart of the current Ebola outbreak, which has recorded nearly 750 suspected cases and around 177 fatalities so far.
The conflict was sparked by the death of a well-known local soccer player who had fallen ill and later died in the hospital. His mother insisted that he didn’t have Ebola but rather typhoid fever. Surprisingly, many of the youths involved in the protest were skeptical about the existence of Ebola altogether.
Jean Kalud Mukendi, a local politician, expressed concern, saying, “People are not properly informed and are desensitized about what’s happening. For some, particularly in isolated regions, Ebola feels like a myth,” as reported by the BBC.
“They believe that NGOs and hospitals fabricate these situations for profit. It’s tragic,” added Mukendi, who is overseeing local security efforts in response to the outbreak.
This tragedy unfolded as the deceased’s family and friends sought to take the body for a traditional funeral, even with clear directives stating that all bodies must be buried following health guidelines. Mismanagement of public funerals for earlier victims may have inadvertently contributed to spreading the virus further.
Public knowledge about Ebola is crucial, as the virus spreads through bodily fluids. In fact, healthcare workers can be particularly vulnerable, underscoring the need for careful handling of deceased bodies. Congolese health officials highlighted that improperly conducted funerals could lead to “superspreader” situations, exacerbating the outbreak.
Another politician, Luc Malembe Malembe, explained to the BBC that tensions rose to violence when police intervened, resulting in a crowd hurling incendiary devices at the hospital, even destroying tents used for isolating patients, one of which contained the body of an Ebola victim.
A local resident noted, “The police tried to calm things down, but it didn’t work. Eventually, the youths set the center on fire. That’s just how it is.” At least one healthcare worker was injured during the chaos.
According to the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), six individuals were receiving treatment at the facility when it was attacked. The organization condemned the violence and criticized the spread of misinformation on social media, highlighting its potential to incite further unrest and propagate the virus.
Congo’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kaikwamba, described the outbreak as a “very scary situation” and acknowledged the diverse and often uncomfortable reactions it evokes among the populace, suggesting that such reactions are not unusual in challenging times.
In light of the outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national soccer team had to cancel its training in Kinshasa. This decision arguably fueled existing frustrations among local fans. The team’s camp, typically held during World Cup years, will be relocated to Belgium, though games in Belgium and Spain remain on the calendar.
The Congolese team plans to compete against Portugal in their first match on June 17 in Houston, Texas, and coordination is underway with FIFA to ensure safe entry for the team amidst these health concerns.
On Friday, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked that the outbreak is “rapidly escalating,” now classified as a “very high” risk to the entire Democratic Republic of Congo. The WHO is also evaluating the potential threat to neighboring nations like Uganda.
