Health Crisis in DR Congo: 500 Mpox Patients Escape Amid Conflict

Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has led to the evacuation of over 500 patients suffering from mpox, a disease that has seen a resurgence in the region. With health centers overwhelmed and resources depleted due to looting, officials are concerned about the potential spread of the disease among displaced populations.

In the midst of escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, over 500 patients undergoing treatment for mpox, previously known as monkeypox, have fled from health clinics. This exodus occurs as fighting intensifies, particularly in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have gained control. Health officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) express deep concern, noting that the absence of these patients raises the risk of spreading the contagious disease, which claimed around 900 lives in the country last year.

Dr. Samuel Muhindo, who oversees a clinic in Goma, recounted the chaos that ensued when rebels torched supplies, leaving health facilities in devastation. “We were looted. We lost equipment. It was a disaster,” he explained. As of this month, the nation has reported nearly 2,890 mpox cases and 180 deaths.

The Mugunga health center has seen a surge in displaced patients, with Dr. Muhindo detailing how 128 individuals fled in January due to the violence, resulting in lost medical records and personnel unable to reestablish contact with the patients. Similarly, looting incidents at the Bisengimana hospital destroyed critical supplies, including medications and personal protective equipment. An alarming development arose when the M23, having closed several camps for displaced persons, triggered fears of disease spread among those who returned to conflict-prone areas.

Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, an official from Africa CDC, has called for a ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor to allow for uninterrupted healthcare efforts. The situation remains dire as the number of municpally unaccounted mpox patients grows, exacerbated by the emergence of a new, potentially more contagious mpox variant in the region, thereby compounding already strained health resources.

Just when hope seemed to arise as the Mugunga facility managed to reopen, it is now operating beyond capacity, with multiple patients often sharing beds. The dire circumstances have resulted in heart-wrenching narratives from patients like Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, who fled his home due to violence and is now facing sickness and separation from family.

Despite attempts to salvage medical supplies from the chaos, many treatment centers remain stripped of necessary resources, hindering response efforts. As the health crisis deepens amidst ongoing violence, the cries for urgent support and intervention only grow louder.