Recent violent clashes, particularly the takeover of Goma and Bukavu by M23 rebels, have compounded the mpox outbreak, which has already claimed 180 lives this year alone.
**DR Congo Health Crisis: Over 500 Mpox Patients Displaced Amid Conflict**
**DR Congo Health Crisis: Over 500 Mpox Patients Displaced Amid Conflict**
In the ongoing turmoil of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, over 500 mpox patients have fled medical facilities, raising health concerns as conflict escalates.
In the midst of escalating unrest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reports have emerged detailing the alarming displacement of more than 500 mpox patients. These individuals fled clinics in Goma and Bukavu due to a surge in violence associated with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has intensified its grip on the region in recent weeks.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed grave concerns over the absence of these patients, particularly given that they may exacerbate the already challenging mpox crisis. Officials noted that last year, the disease is suspected to have contributed to nearly 900 deaths in the country.
Dr. Samuel Muhindo, overseeing a clinic in Goma, recounted the chaos that unfolded as his health center was looted and vital equipment lost. He revealed that 128 patients from the Mugunga health center had disappeared after violence erupted at the end of January, and the destruction of medical records has made tracing them nearly impossible.
The situation at another facility in Goma, the Bisengimana hospital, is similar. Looters not only stole essential medicines and protective gear but also set fires outside the center, leaving medical documentation scattered painfully about. The recent upheaval has also led to the M23 closing refugee camps that had provided sanctuary for displaced citizens, further complicating the crisis.
Dr. Muhindo fears an outbreak may emerge in the areas where displaced individuals have sought refuge, a sentiment echoed by the Africa CDC’s mpox incident manager, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo. He reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the continuation of mpox interventions.
In just one week, the Africa CDC reported an increase of 100 missing mpox patients as conflict escalated. Compounding the urgency, a new variant of mpox, believed to have greater transmissibility, has been detected in DR Congo.
Although the Mugunga facility, supported by UNICEF and UK Aid Direct, managed a brief reopening, it is facing overwhelming demand, often requiring four to five patients to share a single bed.
One patient, Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, described his harrowing journey from Minova to Goma, where he fell ill with mpox symptoms after initially fleeing to a displaced persons camp. His testimony highlights the suffering faced by families caught in the intersection of health emergencies and violent conflict.
Dr. Oummani Rouafi, a health specialist from UNICEF in Goma, explained that the only reason Mugunga was able to reopen was that some equipment was concealed from looters, a stark contrast to other facilities that were completely ravaged. As the health crisis deepens amid escalating violence, urgent international intervention remains crucial.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed grave concerns over the absence of these patients, particularly given that they may exacerbate the already challenging mpox crisis. Officials noted that last year, the disease is suspected to have contributed to nearly 900 deaths in the country.
Dr. Samuel Muhindo, overseeing a clinic in Goma, recounted the chaos that unfolded as his health center was looted and vital equipment lost. He revealed that 128 patients from the Mugunga health center had disappeared after violence erupted at the end of January, and the destruction of medical records has made tracing them nearly impossible.
The situation at another facility in Goma, the Bisengimana hospital, is similar. Looters not only stole essential medicines and protective gear but also set fires outside the center, leaving medical documentation scattered painfully about. The recent upheaval has also led to the M23 closing refugee camps that had provided sanctuary for displaced citizens, further complicating the crisis.
Dr. Muhindo fears an outbreak may emerge in the areas where displaced individuals have sought refuge, a sentiment echoed by the Africa CDC’s mpox incident manager, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo. He reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the continuation of mpox interventions.
In just one week, the Africa CDC reported an increase of 100 missing mpox patients as conflict escalated. Compounding the urgency, a new variant of mpox, believed to have greater transmissibility, has been detected in DR Congo.
Although the Mugunga facility, supported by UNICEF and UK Aid Direct, managed a brief reopening, it is facing overwhelming demand, often requiring four to five patients to share a single bed.
One patient, Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, described his harrowing journey from Minova to Goma, where he fell ill with mpox symptoms after initially fleeing to a displaced persons camp. His testimony highlights the suffering faced by families caught in the intersection of health emergencies and violent conflict.
Dr. Oummani Rouafi, a health specialist from UNICEF in Goma, explained that the only reason Mugunga was able to reopen was that some equipment was concealed from looters, a stark contrast to other facilities that were completely ravaged. As the health crisis deepens amid escalating violence, urgent international intervention remains crucial.
