A makeshift mpox isolation ward in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to cope with an influx of patients, amidst a global public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization.
The hospital in Kavumu has received over 900 symptomatic patients in the past three months, with 135 currently crammed into three large plastic tents. Health workers are facing significant challenges, including daily medicine shortages and lack of space.
“We are overwhelmed and desperate for support,” said head doctor Musole Mulamba Muva. “Donations from international organizations have dwindled, and we are struggling to make ends meet.”
Relatives, who typically provide meals for patients in underfunded public facilities, have been banned from visiting the mpox ward to prevent contamination. This has left patients without access to food or basic care.
Vaccines are expected to arrive soon, and Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has released $10 million to fight the outbreak. However, health workers on the ground are calling for urgent support to address the shortage of medicine and resources.
Mpox causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and can be deadly, particularly for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. With limited medical options available, some patients are turning to traditional remedies to ease their symptoms.
The Congolese government has identified high-risk contacts and priority areas for the first stage of vaccination. However, health workers are warning that more needs to be done to address the scale of the outbreak.
As of August 31, there were 19,710 suspected cases of mpox reported in Congo, with 5,041 confirmed and 655 fatalities. The situation remains dire, and international support is crucial to contain the outbreak.
