Congo, the epicenter of an mpox outbreak, was declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organisation last month.
Vaccines to address the new virus strain are expected soon, and President Felix Tshisekedi has approved an initial $10 million to combat the outbreak.
At the hospital complex in Kavumu, which has treated 900 symptomatic patients over the past three months, health workers are urgently seeking assistance.
“We run out of medicine every day,” said Dr. Musole Mulamba Muva, highlighting the severe shortage of resources.
He noted that donations from international organizations have rapidly declined, leaving them struggling with limited local means.
Mpox patients, both children and adults, were housed last week in a ward with 135 individuals cramped into three large plastic tents set up on damp ground without flooring.
Due to contamination concerns, relatives who usually provide the bulk of meals at underfunded facilities like Kavumu hospital have been banned from visiting the mpox ward.
“We have nothing to eat,” said 32-year-old Nzigire Lukangira, whose toddler is hospitalised.
She added that they receive no help for their children’s fevers and has been feeding honey to her daughter.
Cris Kacita, head of Congo’s mpox response team, admitted that some regions of the vast central African country are facing a shortage of medicine.
He emphasised that distributing donations, including 115 tonnes of medicine from the World Bank, is a top priority.
Herbal Treatments
Cris Kacita, head of Congo’s mpox response team, admitted that some regions of the vast central African country are facing a shortage of medicine.
He emphasised that distributing donations, including 115 tonnes of medicine from the World Bank, is a top priority.
At the Kavumu mpox ward, Lukangira and other mothers began using traditional remedies to relieve their babies’ discomfort.
They treated blisters with potassium bicarbonate or salty lemon juice, a practice also adopted by adult patients.
The majority of cases originated from the town and neighboring villages, leading to the establishment of two additional makeshift mpox wards in the area.
Dr. Serge Munyau Cikuru, a local health ministry representative, urged the government to persist in securing vaccines.
Kacita noted that high-risk contacts and nine priority areas have been designated for the initial vaccination phase.
As of August 31, Congo’s health ministry reported 19,710 suspected mpox cases for the year, with 5,041 confirmed and 655 resulting in death.