With the situation in Goma and Bukavu worsening due to rebel violence, healthcare workers express concerns over the spread of mpox following the disappearance of patients from treatment centers. As the conflict escalates, health resources dwindle and potential outbreaks loom.
Health Crisis Escalates in DR Congo as 500 Mpox Patients Disappear Amid Conflict
Health Crisis Escalates in DR Congo as 500 Mpox Patients Disappear Amid Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has led to the alarming flight of over 500 mpox patients from clinics as health facilities are decimated by rebel looting.
In a deeply troubling development, more than 500 mpox patients have fled healthcare facilities in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo within the last month due to the relentless violence stemming from the M23 rebel group. This comes at a time when health authorities are grappling with the containment of a disease that resulted in nearly 900 fatalities last year alone.
Recent reports from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicate that missing patients pose a significant risk of further spreading mpox, a contagious viral zoonosis previously known as monkeypox. The health crisis is exacerbated in cities like Goma and Bukavu, which have recently witnessed violent confrontations as rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, tighten their grip on these regions.
Dr. Samuel Muhindo, head of the Mugunga health centre in Goma, reported that his clinic was severely looted, resulting in the loss of vital medical supplies and records, which hindered the tracking of at least 128 missing patients. Violence erupted at medical facilities, leading to the destruction of critical health infrastructure, causing unimaginable distress for both health workers and patients.
The latest data from Africa CDC shows that DR Congo has reported nearly 2,890 mpox cases and approximately 180 deaths since the start of 2023. The spread of disease among displaced populations is especially concerning, as the chaos displaced many individuals from safe havens, thus further complicating the healthcare response.
Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, mpox incident manager at Africa CDC, emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to facilitate ongoing healthcare interventions. The reality on the ground saw even the meager resources available at healthcare facilities stretched to their limit, with some patients having to share beds due to overwhelming demand for care.
Survivor accounts like that of Sadiki Bichichi Aristide highlight the plight of those affected. After fleeing the escalating conflict, he began to show symptoms of mpox in a camp for displaced people, prompting his urgent appeal for medical attention.
While some facilities have managed to reopen, the lack of funding and rampant violence significantly impair DR Congo's ability to respond effectively to the mpox outbreak. With fears of a new variant emerging and healthcare resources dwindling, the region stands at the precipice of a major public health emergency, necessitating immediate international assistance and strategic relief efforts to prevent widespread contagion.
