The Blukwa-Mbi health centre, in the Drodro region, in the Province of Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been destroyed on four occasions, in 2017, 2018, 2019 and recently 2020. Daniel Bidjo Goba, Head nurse at the Blukwa Mbi health centre, testifies to this destruction and the difficulty of providing care in these conditions.
After a decade of relative lull, the province of Ituri has again been marked, since the end of 2017, by regular episodes of extreme violence against civilians.
Médecins Sans Frontières has observed the destruction or looting of six health structures since mid-2019 in the Drodro region, where it operates. More than 70 health facilities have been damaged or looted in some 15 health zones in Ituri province. In addition to the insecurity, the remoteness of the remaining centres, the lack of personnel, medical equipment and inputs deprive thousands of people of access to health care and promote the resurgence of diseases.