WHO Director-General visits DR Congo to address health workers’ concerns

The World Health Organisation's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the Butembo region in the Democratic Republic of Congo as fears over the security of health workers fighting the Ebola outbreak escalate.

The visit comes amid reports that health workers gave a one-week ultimatum to the government to improve their security or else they will walk off the job.

A Cameroonian doctor died on April 19 following an attack on Butembo University Hospital in Butembo, North Kivu province. At least two other people were injured in the incident.

The attack came two days after President Felix Tshisekedi visited Beni in eastern DR Congo where he called for the disarmament of militia that operate in the east and whose presence has complicated the Ebola response.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti was also in North Kivu to show support for WHO staff and its partners.

Moeti said that despite the attacks, the WHO will continue its efforts to fight the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ghebreyesus told the WHO responders that the leadership was there to discuss how to improve their security and strengthen the response against Ebola.

“I was so moved to meet our brave colleagues in Butembo who remain strong after the death of our colleague. As they said, we are WHO, we are lifesavers, we will not be intimidated, we will finish the job,” Ghebreyesus said in a post on his official Twitter account.

A lack of trust in the government has frustrated efforts to contain Ebola since the outbreak began late last summer. Some residents falsely accuse foreigners of bringing Ebola to the area.

Following a series of attacks on treatment centres by unidentified assailants in February and March, the current outbreak was recorded to be spreading at its fastest rate yet.

The WHO said that the Ebola outbreak will only be contained if crucial response activities are allowed to take place without violence.

(CGTN)