Congolese fight against ebola hampered by fake news and political manipulation

Medical The ebola epidemic rages in spite of (read: thanks to) the verkiezingsgekte in the Congo continue. Not fighting the symptoms of the disease represents the biggest challenge for rescue workers, but the conspiracy theories and political manipulation surrounding the disease.

Volunteers and health workers delivered the past few months, unseen efforts to the disease and the symptoms. However, they are hampered by political interference and lies, part of a brutal election battle in the Congo.

also Read Over 600 cases of life-threatening dengue fever virus in Congo

Mistrust and lies
“I tell my teams is usually that they are fighting against two diseases: ebola and fear,” said Carlos Navarro Colorado, UNICEF. So remained the Congolese long time away from the hospitals, out of fear for created game. The distrust against the government of Kabila and the emergency staff was great and some rumours went round. So proclaimed oppositielid Crispin Mbindule Mitono on the national radio that the dengue fever virus by the government was distributed to the residents of the Congolese town of Beni to eradicate. Shortly afterwards attacked citizens a help center, and they broke it completely.

Population inform

Now brings together UNICEF, for the first time joined forces with other agencies through social media, radio broadcasts and meetings much needed information about the disease to the population to provide.

a part of the new approach of UNICEF is more transparency regarding the treatment. Therefor they make use of in a Biosecure Emergency Care Unit for Outbreaks (CUBE), a sort of transparent tent that makes it possible for rescue workers to treat patients without the terrifying protective clothing. Family members, patients can simply see during the treatment.

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