Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Africa.
Desperate for Vaccines, Medics Face Rising Cases and Resource Shortages Amid Conflict
Medical staff at the forefront of the mpox outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are urgently calling for vaccines as they grapple with a surge in infections. In South Kivu province, a treatment center is overwhelmed by the increasing number of patients, particularly infants, and faces a critical shortage of essential equipment.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a highly contagious disease that has claimed the lives of at least 635 people in DR Congo this year. Despite a recent delivery of 200,000 vaccines from the European Commission to the capital, Kinshasa, distribution to affected regions like South Kivu is still weeks away due to logistical challenges.
Nurse Emmanuel Fikiri, working at a clinic turned specialist center for mpox, expressed concerns over the delayed arrival of vaccines. "We know the vaccine is available, but we haven't received it," Fikiri shared. Treating mpox patients for the first time, he fears contracting the disease and infecting his young children. "We urgently need vaccines to protect ourselves and our families," he said.
The vaccines require storage at sub zero temperatures to maintain efficacy and must be transported to remote areas such as Kamituga, Kavumu, and Lwiro, where the outbreak is severe. The lack of infrastructure and poor road conditions pose significant hurdles, with helicopters potentially needed for delivery, further inflating costs in the already financially strained nation.
Dr. Pacifique Karanzo, working at the community clinic, is exhausted from the relentless influx of patients. Overwhelmed by the demand, he noted that resources are scarce. "Patients are forced to share beds, and some even sleep on the floor," he said. The clinic faces shortages in personal protective equipment, and staff morale is low. "We do our best to care for patients while trying not to put ourselves at risk," Karanzo lamented.
At Lwiro community hospital, located about an hour north of Bukavu, the cries of babies and the stench of urine and stagnant water greet visitors. The hospital struggles with a lack of clean water, forcing them to ration supplies stored in small jerrycans. In the past three weeks, the clinic, which typically sees around 80 patients a month, has been inundated with nearly 200, many of whom are children.
Eighteen year old Faraja Rukara, whose son Murhula is the youngest mpox patient at just four weeks old, spoke of the pain of watching her child suffer from the disease. Mpox, caused by a virus related to smallpox, results in flu like symptoms, skin lesions, and can be fatal. The hospital's first mpox case, 10 month old Amenipa Kabuya, recovered, but her mother Yvette has since contracted the virus.
The severe symptoms and impact of mpox, including painful lesions, fever, and significant weight loss, have increased demand for vaccines in a region previously hesitant towards vaccination. Beatrice Kachera, 50, expressed the urgency felt by many: "We can't wait for more to die. We need the vaccines now."
However, the ongoing armed conflict in eastern DR Congo, involving the army and various armed groups like the M23 rebels, complicates vaccination efforts. Dr. Gaston Bulambo, head of North Kivu Provincial Health Division, highlighted that insecurity has disrupted vaccination programs across the board, not just for mpox.
South Kivu's governor, Jean Jacques Purusi Sadiki, noted that the influx of internally displaced people due to the conflict has exacerbated the outbreak. "We are accommodating thousands of displaced individuals while battling multiple challenges," he said. "Much of our resources are directed towards the war effort rather than health and social development."
Despite these challenges, the governor remains optimistic, believing that the rebel groups will not impede vaccine deliveries as mpox affects populations under their control as well. "I am committed to bringing urgent assistance to Lwiro and ensuring the vaccines reach those in need," he stated. Vaccinations are set to begin in October, prioritizing children under 17 and those in close contact with infected individuals.
Governor Purusi Sadiki is confident that the outbreak in South Kivu can be contained, driven by strong political will. This sentiment, however, is not yet fully shared by frontline medics like Dr. Karanzo, though they are encouraged by the growing awareness of mpox in their region. Increasing numbers of patients are seeking medical help at the onset of symptoms rather than turning to traditional healers, which has so far prevented fatalities at the clinic.
With over 5,000 confirmed cases in DR Congo this year, healthcare workers stress the urgent need for a coordinated response involving vaccines, medical supplies, and enhanced hygiene measures to curb the outbreak. Time is of the essence, and the combined efforts of local authorities and international support are crucial to controlling the spread of mpox.
