A key institution of justice in Goma, Munzenze Central Prison is now facing a major challenge: the spread of cholera among its inmates. Indeed, the discovery of two confirmed cases and three suspected cases of this disease within the establishment alerted local authorities and raised urgent questions about the sanitary conditions of this penitentiary establishment.
At the origin of this alarming situation is the unsanitary conditions that reign supreme within the prison walls. The consistent testimonies highlight the presence of untreated waste, overflowing garbage cans and saturated septic tanks, creating a breeding ground for the spread of diseases. The director of Munzenze, although acknowledging these facts, affirms that measures have been taken to contain the situation. The sick are treated at the prison dispensary and disinfection operations have been carried out with the support of the Karisimbi health zone.
However, the director is facing a major obstacle: inadequate waste management. Despite the efforts made, the persistent presence of rubbish constitutes a real danger to the health of prisoners and staff. The overcrowded conditions within the establishment do not help the situation in any way, with a capacity designed for 350 people currently housing 4,600 prisoners. This promiscuity increases the risk of the spread of cholera and threatens to transform the prison into a hotbed of contamination for the entire city when the prisoners’ families come to visit them.
Faced with this health emergency, it is imperative that concrete and sustainable measures are put in place to clean up the prison environment and prevent any new epidemic. The mobilization of local authorities, the municipality and health organizations is essential to guarantee decent living conditions for prisoners and protect the community from any risk of infectious diseases. It is time for Munzenze Central Prison to receive special attention and adequate resources to ensure the health and well-being of its occupants, while contributing to the health security of the city of Goma.