Ebola Outbreak: Nia-Nia Private Health Facilities Declare Minimum Service, Sparking Disagreement with Response Coordination

Private health facilities in the Nia-Nia health zone have announced a minimum service, including the suspension of night consultations and the systematic transfer of severe cases to the Nia-Nia General Reference Hospital. This decision stems from the resurgence of the Ebola virus and the difficult conditions faced by healthcare workers.

Dr. Willy Ngeleza, a member of the Association of Private Health Structures (ASSAPRI), stated that this restriction is a matter of survival for health professionals who have been severely affected by contamination. "Healthcare personnel do not have individual protective equipment. This is why many of them are dying, others are contaminated," he explained, emphasizing the need for appropriate protection conditions.

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Healthcare personnel do not have individual protective equipment. This is why many of them are dying, others are contaminated. [...] We must be in appropriate protection conditions.

However, the coordination of the response against the epidemic disapproves of this measure. Field coordinator Dr. Elie Mutombo insists on the continuity of routine care, arguing that the health system should not collapse due to the epidemic. "It is not because we are in a period of epidemic that we must stop treating the population, because not everyone suffers from Ebola. During the epidemic, routine health services continue," he stated.

Faced with this impasse, ASSAPRI is urgently appealing to the government and humanitarian partners for a rapid supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). This is considered a prerequisite for the safe resumption of normal care activities.

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It is not because we are in a period of epidemic that we must stop treating the population, because not everyone suffers from Ebola. [...] During the epidemic, routine health services continue.