Via Actualite.CD: DRC-Ebola: Authorities Announce Free Care in 3 Health Zones in Beni. The Google translation:
Congolese health authorities have announced free healthcare in three health zones in the region of Beni (North Kivu) hit by the Ebola epidemic. According to the authorities, this measure aims to break the "financial barrier" experienced by the population during an epidemic.
"The Ministry of Health, through its World Bank-funded Health System Development Project (PDSS), has finalized practical arrangements to start free healthcare in three health zones around the epicenter, namely: Mabalako, Blessed, and Oicha. In times of epidemic, it is important that the financial barrier does not hinder access to health care. This measure of free health care in the affected areas aims to encourage the population to go to an approved health center as soon as the first symptoms appear, increasing their chances of survival, " says the health ministry in a bulletin on Monday.
The decision is welcomed by North Kivu provincial deputy Jaribu Muliwavyo, who is promoting collaboration between the government and its health partners.
"When the Ministry of Health works in partnership with its partners in order to curb this epidemic but also to reduce the burden on the population that is already impoverished by a long period of war, I think it's a thing that we must salute. But also, nurses, doctors and all medical services should not be forgotten by the state. At the same time that the partners give free medicines to the population, it would be necessary that the state is activated to take into account the salaries of all these agents," said the Beni representative.
The MP welcomes the organization of the Ebola response in Beni. "It's good work because what we see in Beni, if there was a delay, we would have suffered a terrible setback," says Jaribu.
On Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief executive of the World Health Organization (WHO), hailed the "speed" in the response to Ebola in this part of the country.
