Healthcare workers treating patients with Marburg virus disease in Rwanda have not returned home to their families since the outbreak began in September, health minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said Monday.
In a press conference, Nsanzimana described the sacrifice made by the medics, noting that they have remained isolated to prevent the risk of spreading the virus to their loved ones.
“When you are in such an outbreak, you are at war, especially for those living with the patients daily,” Nsanzimana said. “Ever since the medics started treating the patients, they have not returned to their homes.”
He explained that health regulations require vigilance to ensure the virus is not transmitted to the families of healthcare providers. The medics are staying in designated housing and are regularly tested for the virus. Additional tests will be conducted once the outbreak is over, and only after meeting all necessary safeguards will they be allowed to reunite with their families.
“This is a heavy burden for them, but they are accustomed to it. They are medics,” Nsanzimana added. “It’s not easy for their families, but we continue to support and encourage them.”
The minister also noted that healthcare workers have been disproportionately affected by the outbreak, with more than 80% of confirmed cases involving medical professionals. Many of the affected medics are specialists working in intensive care units at two major hospitals in the capital, Kigali.
