Kinshasa, February 17th, 2025 (CPA). – The evacuation of displaced persons from Pakadjuma, relocated to the Kinkole General Reference Hospital in eastern Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has been requested from the ministers concerned in this matter by the Environment Committee of the Provincial Assembly, it was learned on Tuesday from parliamentary sources.
« The information in our possession indicates that the displaced persons who were in Pakadjuma have been relocated to the Kinkole General Reference Hospital. That is why we are urging the ministers concerned with this relocation to find appropriate solutions to evacuate this population from this location because it is not a suitable living environment (…) », has declared Steve Mulumba, President of the Environment, Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development Committee of the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly.
He has made this plea during a working session held on Monday between his committee, the Provincial Health Division and the Provincial Minister in charge of Health. This provincial deputy has, furthermore, denounced the decision that led to the installation of these displaced persons in a health facility. ‘We are condemning this decision because this is a hospital,’ he has added. According to Mr Mulumba, this hospital houses a treatment centre for cholera and Mpox cases, exposing the displaced persons to increased health risks. ‘Pakadjuma being an endemic area and an epicentre for many diseases, we will find ourselves tomorrow with adverse consequences, environmental consequences and even security problems at the hospital,’ he has concluded. CPA/