Shooting at MSF-supported hospital in Goma kills one person

“The use of force and weapons inside Kyeshero Hospital has transformed a medical facility—which [is] supposed to remain a safe place at all times—into a dangerous zone where one person was killed,” said Margot Grelet, MSF emergency coordinator in Goma and North Kivu. “The shooting spread fear and disrupted medical services. A bullet passed through a window and landed in a patient's mattress. Such events are unacceptable and must never be repeated, either in Goma or elsewhere.” 

Ongoing and escalating violence in DRC

This is not an isolated incident, and reflects an alarming increase in violence perpetrated by all parties to the conflict affecting health facilities and endangering the lives of patients and medical staff in the region this year. 

MSF reiterates its commitment to providing medical care alongside local health services in the conflict-affected provinces of eastern DRC. However, the increased frequency and severity of these incidents is straining our capacity to respond and may lead to the suspension of some services. 

“Without minimum security guarantees, health workers and humanitarian organizations cannot work,” said Grelet. “They must not risk their lives to continue providing vital care to the [community]. We call on all parties concerned to preserve the civilian [status] of health facilities.”

Since the beginning of the year, MSF teams have experienced around 15 violent incidents directly affecting the structures and hospitals they support in North and South Kivu. 

MSF staff among victims of violence 

One tragic incident took place on February 20 in the town of Masisi in North Kivu. During clashes between the armed groups VDP/Wazalendos and M23/AFC, fighters shot and wounded two people at the MSF base, including MSF employee Jerry Muhindo Kavali, who died of his injuries two days later. 

On March 19 In Walikale, about 90 miles from Masisi, our base was hit by crossfire, striking our structures and some of our vehicles during clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC), M23/AFC, and their allies. 

In mid-February, the General Referral Hospital in Uvira, South Kivu, came under fire during clashes in the town, endangering patients and staff. Medical activities were interrupted, and patients had to take cover to avoid being hit. Armed men also entered the hospital premises, shooting inside.

MSF in DRC 

MSF supports several health structures in Goma and several locations across North and South Kivu, focusing on primary and secondary health care, including maternal, pediatric, cholera, and malnutrition care, and care for victims of sexual violence. MSF has worked at Kyeshero Hospital in Goma for several years, particularly in the management of cases of malnutrition. MSF teams have also supported Virunga Hospital in Goma, as well as Minova General Referral Hospital and Numbi Hospital Center in South Kivu, treating people wounded in armed clashes at the start of the year.