**Fatshimetrie: Access to healthcare compromised in Rwenzori region after rebel attacks**
Access to healthcare in the Rwenzori sector has become a major concern following recent attacks by ADF rebels. More than six thousand residents are now without access to essential medical services, leaving a vulnerable population prone to diseases and increased risks, according to information relayed by the local New Civil Society.
Following the burning of two health facilities, including the Vuhumirya health post in March 2022 and the Kabalwa referral health center two years ago, the region is now facing a critical situation. Without nearby alternatives, the local population, estimated at around 6,000 inhabitants, must travel long distances to receive adequate care.
Meleki Mulala, coordinator of the New Civil Society, underlines the urgency of the situation and calls for immediate intervention by the competent authorities and their partners. “The consequences of these attacks are dramatic, endangering the health and lives of the inhabitants of this vulnerable region. Pregnant women are particularly affected, having to face precarious conditions to access care, sometimes even losing their lives along the way,” he laments.
The difficulty of transporting patients to other health facilities is exacerbated by the active presence of the FARDC in the area, making night travel extremely perilous. Impassable roads and growing insecurity force the local population to face insurmountable challenges in accessing basic health care, highlighting the urgency of concerted action to respond to this humanitarian crisis.
The current situation in the Rwenzori sector reveals the flaws in the health system and the need for urgent mobilization to restore access to health care for affected populations. It is imperative that the competent authorities take rapid and effective measures to guarantee the health and well-being of all, putting an end to the precariousness and suffering of the inhabitants of this region ravaged by armed conflicts and humanitarian disasters.