Congo’s Mpox Response Deteriorates Amid Rebel Advances in Eastern Region
Congo faces significant challenges in combating the mpox outbreak due to the advance of Rwanda-backed rebels, leading to severe disruption in medical care and shortage of supplies. The ongoing conflict has caused a mass flight of patients from treatment centers, while the Africa CDC has noted a rise in cases amid the crisis. Urgent measures are needed to establish a humanitarian corridor and reinstate effective healthcare delivery.
Congo’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak is severely hampered following the advance of Rwanda-backed rebel forces in the east, particularly after their capture of Goma and Bukavu. These cities previously played a crucial role in combating the outbreak but now face significant challenges in disease detection and treatment due to intensified conflict in the region. The situation has worsened as hospitals experience shortages of medical supplies, and serious disruptions have led to the escape of numerous patients from treatment facilities.
The World Health Organization recognized the mpox outbreak in Eastern Congo as a global health emergency, primarily triggered by a novel strain of the virus. Although Congo reported a 31% increase in mpox cases recently, with numbers reaching a total of 16,255, the worsening security situation has led to only limited reporting across the country, with only seven out of 26 provinces registering cases. The humanitarian crisis created by the M23 rebel group’s actions has left many areas isolated from aid and medical resources.
Dr. Serge Munyahu Cikuru, the medical officer overseeing the Miti Murhesa health zone, expressed deep concern regarding the impact of insecurity on patient care, stating, “The situation has been very difficult. Insecurity has disrupted everything.” Reports from the ground reveal that many patients, such as Mubake Buroko Patrick, have struggled to access necessary medications amid the conflict, complicating their treatment.
Efforts are underway for a potential humanitarian corridor to facilitate aid, contingent on halting hostilities. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that more than 600 mpox patients have abandoned hospitals due to the advancing conflict. Tracing and treating patients in the Miti Murhesa health zone is particularly challenging, with only two of four centers currently functional.
As the M23 rebels extend their control throughout North and South Kivu, health workers face mounting pressure to manage supplies effectively amidst fears of a rising number of mpox cases. Dr. Cikuru underscored the dire need for improved access to medicines, emphasizing, “Our fear is an increase in the number of cases due to the current situation.”
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has severely impacted the response to the mpox outbreak, leading to significant obstacles in treatment and detection. The humanitarian crisis, compounded by the rebellion’s advance, necessitates urgent action to restore peace and facilitate aid access. Ensuring the continuity of medical supply and patient care is crucial to prevent further escalation of the outbreak. Given the precarious situation, collaborative international efforts and negotiations for humanitarian corridors are imperative to address this public health emergency efficiently.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
