Mpox Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo: Patients in Dire Need of Medical Care

A temporary Mpox isolation ward in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to provide adequate medical care to patients due to medicine shortages and overcrowding. The patients, diagnosed with Mpox, a virus declared a global public health emergency three weeks ago, are in dire need of proper treatment.

Credit: France 24

Despite promises of vaccines and a $10 million fund to support the outbreak response, health workers in parts of DRC continue to face challenges. In Kavumu, 900 patients have been admitted over the past three months, with health workers struggling to provide adequate support due to limited resources and decreased international aid.

Credit: France 24

The hospital in Kavumu is facing significant challenges, including a lack of medicine and overcrowding. Last week, 135 patients were crowded into three large tents without proper flooring, and family members were not allowed to visit the ward to prevent the spread of the virus.

Health workers are doing their best to provide care, but the situation is dire. "We run out of medicine every day," said Dr. Musole Mulamba Muva, the head of the hospital. Patients and their families are struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working to deliver supplies, including 115 tonnes of medicine from the World Bank, and has reassured that this outbreak is not another COVID-19. However, their strategies have yet to be implemented effectively, leaving health workers and patients in a difficult situation.