BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) 鈥� The sudden closure in the of the orthopedic trauma surgery unit at the 's main hospital following the deaths of two people, including a government minister's niece, has sparked concern among patients and relatives.
The unit at Bangui Community University Hospital was closed by the health ministry on Feb. 3 following the deaths, which are being investigated. The inquiry panel is also assessing the quality of service delivery at the hospital.
The hospital has faced problems operating smoothly due to frequent power cuts, said Joseph Bindoum, head of the Central African Republic鈥檚 League for Human Rights, which investigated the deaths.
Patients' families and some activists have criticised the closure and accused the government of 鈥減unishing鈥� patients who have been left without proper care.
In a protest at the hospital on Tuesday, families called for the reopening of the unit, which is one of the few such facilities in the mineral-rich country of about 6 million people.
鈥淭he closure of the operating unit violates the patients鈥� right to health,鈥� Bindoum said, echoing concerns from worried families. 鈥淒octors ... do not have the means (to work well),鈥� he added.
Ir猫ne Gassengue鈥檚 son has been lying with fractured limbs in a hospital bed with no medical attention for a week even though she already paid for his surgery.
鈥淚 am angry because the minister of health decided on his own to close the surgical unit,鈥� Gassengue said. She fears the delayed surgery is causing his health to deteriorate. 鈥淚t is scandalous,鈥� she said.
The two patients who died included Larissa Yagasso Nguianbga, whose uncle is Energy Minister Arthur Bertrand Piri and an ally of President
Although no official reason has been given for the deaths, a doctor at the surgery unit said Nguianbga died after a power cut that led to the breakdown of some equipment. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to talk about the issue publicly.
The authorities are asking French medical charity Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, if it can help in treating patients requiring urgent care. 鈥淎n arrangement has been put in place,鈥� Health Minister Dr. Pierre Somse said.
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Jean-fernand Koena, The Associated Press
