Democratic Republic of Congo: Doctors Without Borders calls for protection of patients, medical facilities and civilians following Drodro hospital attack.

11/03/2024

Republic of Congo

Drodro hospital, Ituri Province, DR Congo. May 2023 © MSF/Michel Lunanga

Attacks persist: The intensive care unit of this hospital was emptied after patients fled, following an armed attack few kilometers away from the surroundings of the reference hospital, in the province of Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo,18 May 2023. © MSF/Michel Lunanga

“What has happened here is nothing short of horrifying,” says Stéphanie Giandonato, Doctors Without Borders programme manager for DRC. “We condemn the killing of a defenceless elderly patient in the strongest possible terms and urge all parties to the conflict to respect and protect patients, medical staff, medical facilities, civilians and humanitarian aid workers.”

Hospital of Drodro, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo. 19 May 2023 © MSF/Michel Lunanga

Doctors Without Borders nurse François Idembe administers an injection to young patient Bariki, with the aim of reducing his high fever and alleviating the infection that is causing discomfort to him. Hospital of Drodro, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo. 19 May 2023 © MSF/Michel Lunanga

The surge in violence in and around Drodro has triggered a mass exodus from the area, with thousands of people seeking refuge at Rho camp for displaced people, about 10 km to the northeast of Drodro. The camp, originally designed to accommodate maximum 30,000 people, is now sheltering more than twice that number.

Drodro, Democratic Republic of Congo, 26 June 2023 © MSF

“The consequences for the population are dire,” says Boubacar Mballo, project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders at Drodro. “Drodro hospital can no longer function, leaving people without medical care. In addition, the growing insecurity has effectively cut off the region, resulting in the complete disruption of food and much needed additional water supplies to the overwhelmed Rho camp.”

Since yesterday’s attack on Drodro, Doctors Without Borders has temporarily evacuated its staff from the town, but Doctors Without Borders teams continue to provide basic healthcare, stabilisation care for critical cases, sexual and reproductive healthcare, mental health support and water and sanitation services to people sheltering in Rho camp. However, Doctors Without Borders is concerned that, as insecurity worsens and supplies run out, this is not sustainable.

“We are concerned that people’s access to necessities such as clean drinking water, food and medical care is at risk”, says Boubacar Mballo. “Hence, we emphasize the obligation of all conflicting parties to uphold the respect and protection of the civilian population and medical missions under all circumstances.”