The Ministry of Health of the Central African Republic (CAR) received, on December 30, 2020, the keys to a refurbished building – to be used by the Service for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Bangui.

The building was in a state of disrepair – with a leaking roof, cracked and dirty walls, damaged doors, windows and floors, faulty electrical system and lack of proper drainage and bathroom facilities – prior to the design and construction work led by MINUSCA engineers.

The reconditioned building comprises of six rooms providing office space and a conference hall. Beyond housing of medical staff working to treat neglected tropical diseases, the restored building will help reduce congestion for CAR Ministry of Health personnel, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neglected tropical diseases – such as sleeping sickness, leprosy, rabies, dengue fever, trachoma and bilharzia – affect more than 1 billion people globally, mainly impoverished populations living in tropical and subtropical climates.

“MINUSCA is thrilled to take part, together with the CAR Ministry of Health, in the fight against neglected tropical diseases that do not spare Africa,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in CAR and Head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, during the handover ceremony.

For his part, the CAR Minister of Health Pierre Somse noted that the handover of the renovated building is “an important symbol of cooperation, that comes at a crucial time of a common fight against Covid-19 – a pandemic that necessitates reinforcing the resilience of our health system and responding to old and emerging diseases in a sustainable manner”.

 He lauded MINUSCA’s continued support: “On behalf of the CAR government, I would like to express our gratitude for MINUSCA’s spirt of partnership and indefatigability. Through your assistance, you are giving a voice to the Central African people, to their aspirations for liberty and dignity in the face of numerous threats.”

Construction work started in mid-September and was completed on 22 December 2020, to the tune of over USD 40,000.