Ebola outbreak has hit the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where it has killed over 1700 people since August last year.
In a bid to contain Ebola, screening is being performed on all borders and airports and the country is equipped with an Emergency Treatment Center (ETC) built-in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District to screen and treat Ebola in case of an outbreak.
Among others, simulation exercises took place in Gisenyi Hospital-Rubavu District, Rwanda Military Hospital-Kigali, Rugerero Health Centre-Rubavu, and Kamembe Airport-Rusizi.
Minister Gashumba commended officials that have contained serenity at Rwanda, DRC borders.
“Security officials have done great work in collaboration with immigration and emigration officials because chaotic crossing at the border has been curtailed. People are crossing calmly, screened, wash hands and proceed through smooth traffic flow,” she said.
The Health minister requested citizens to cooperate closely with officials in the enforcement of Ebola prevention measures through the outbreak has not yet spread to Rwanda.
“There should always be readiness over the outbreak. Rwandans should respect given advice, provide information on time and keeping cooperation with Government leadership,” she said.
The supervision was also attended by the Inspector General of Police, DCGP Dan Munyuza, Western Division commander, Maj Gen Alex Kagame, and Western Province Governor, Alphonse Munyantwali.
The visit was followed by a security meeting assessing the situation at the border.
The Ministry of Health continues to strengthen the national capacity for early detection and containment in the event a case spreads into Rwanda. Rwanda has trained over 23,657 people including Doctors, nurses, hospital staff, Police, Red Cross Volunteers, and Community Health Workers.
The Ministry also vaccinated about 3,000 healthcare providers and other frontline workers (safe burial teams, security guards and cleaners) in 15 high-risk districts.
It has also advised against unnecessary travels to Goma-Eastern Congo, following increasing number of cases confirmed in DRC, and requested that individuals who have recently travelled to an Ebola-affected area to report to the nearest screening station and to report any suspected Ebola cases via the Ministry of health toll-free lines 114, police number 112 or to community health workers or the nearest health centre.
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