Healthcare providers catering for patients with Marburg virus disease have not returned home to their families since September when the outbreak started in Rwanda, health minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has said. “When you are in such an outbreak, you are at war, especially for those living with the patients daily. Ever since the medics started treating the patients, they have not returned to their homes,” Nsanzimana said in a press conference on Monday, November 4. ALSO READ: 80% of Marburg cases are healthcare workers, says minister He referred to their service as a great sacrifice, further pointing out that in such situations, health regulations call for vigilance to avoid the risk of spreading the virus to the medics’ families. “They have a place from where they treat; where they reside; and have means of transport to and fro,” he noted. Besides undergoing regular tests, the medical professionals will also be tested when the country finally defeats the outbreak, it was noted. It is after all safeguards are met that they will return to their families. ALSO READ: Rwanda gets additional 1,000 Marburg vaccine doses “That is how it goes. It is clear that it is burdensome to them, but they are used. They are medics. It is not easy for their families but we are continuing to be close to them and encouraging,” Dr. Nsanzimana said. Early last month, the ministry said healthcare workers accounted for more than 80 percent of the confirmed cases of Marburg. Many of the affected medics were specialists working in the ICUs of two major hospitals in Kigali.
