Efter afsættelsen af præsident Laurent Gbagbo, har regeringen i Elfenbenskysten indført gratis behandling på landets sygehuse. Men kun til slutningen af maj. Køerne foran sygehusene er lange. Many public hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire are overflowing as people rush to benefit from a brief period of free medical services, announced by the government as part of the recovery from months of post-election chaos, according to IRINnews. But the health ministry has been quick to point out that this is a temporary measure and fees will be reinstated at the end of May. Not everyone will benefit from the free care, announced in April. In some areas medicines and services are scarce after sanctions drained drug supplies, many health workers fled their posts, and hospitals were looted during the conflict. After the November presidential run-off election both incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara claimed the presidency and the deadlock set off unprecedented violence throughout the country. The 11 April arrest of Gbagbo began a process toward economic recovery and calm, but observers agree the tough work lies ahead; damage to an already faulty health system has been considerable.
