Biakato, DRC (News of The South) – Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has ended its medical activities in Biakato, in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to the presence of armed forces around and within health structures, the international medical humanitarian organization announced yesterday.
Since the start of the Ebola epidemic, MSF has expanded its operations, not only managing suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola and implementing hygiene and infection control measures in several health facilities in the region but also by offering free primary health and pediatric hospital care.
“We are no longer able to work in accordance with our principles of neutrality and impartiality, we regret this decision, but the presence of armed forces around and within the health structures of Biakato goes against our principles.
We are aware that a solution is needed to ensure the protection of the civilian population and the safety of medical personnel after the tragic events of November.
However, we firmly believe that military presence in health facilities undermines the neutrality and impartiality of medical aid.
It is essential that health structures remain free of weapons so that communities feel safe to come and seek care,” said MSF emergency coordinator, Ewenn Chenard.
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