Epidemiologist Dr. Richard Kiboung was gunned down, and two others were injured when three assailants from a local self-defense militia attacked Butembo University Hospital in Butembo. The hospital, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been treating patients affected by the second largest Ebola outbreak in history.
In response to the death of Dr. Kiboung, World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said,
I and all of WHO are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and brother Dr Mouzoko. He put himself on the frontline to save lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We grieve with his family and friends at this very difficult time.
Ghebreyesus added:
This is a tragic reminder of the risks health workers take every day to protect the lives and health of others. We are outraged by this attack: health workers and health facilities must never be targets.
The Ebola outbreak continues to claim victims as the death toll approaches 850. However, relief efforts have been hindered by locals who “believe Ebola “does not exist” and many view it as a government conspiracy.”
SOURCE:
1: BNO News: Doctor killed in latest attack targeting Ebola workers in DR Congo
