Oly Ilunga Kalenga, MD, PhD, shared his resignation letter to Congo President Félix Tshisekedi in a July 22 tweet.
“As a result of your decision to oversee the response to the Ebola epidemic, and because I anticipate that this decision will inevitably lead to a predictable outcry, I submit to you my resignation as health minister,” Dr. Kalenga wrote in the letter.
On July 20, President Tshisekedi’s administration said a team of experts led by Jean Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, PhD, director-general of the Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research, would now supervise the country’s Ebola response. Dr. Kalenga claims the decision to remove him was made July 18 without his knowledge.
The country’s outbreak, which is now a public health emergency of international concern, started in August 2018. As of July 21, the World Health Organization has reported 2,592 confirmed and probable Ebola infections, along with 1,743 deaths.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
HHS, DOD boost superbug fight with $97M investment: 4 things to know
Deadly fungal infection may have been spurred by global warming, researchers say
El Paso sees 1st measles outbreak in 25 years
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.