Health workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo are working tirelessly to combat the recent mpox outbreak, which has been declared a continental emergency by the Africa CDC. The disease was previously known as monkeypox and has been renamed to reduce stigma. The health workers are facing challenges such as medicine shortages, an ongoing rebellion in the east, and years of experience dealing with Ebola epidemics. Despite the obstacles, they are efficiently screening, isolating, and caring for patients infected with mpox at Nyiragongo Hospital.
Madam Nyota Joyeuse, a shopkeeper and mother of two, is one of the patients being treated at the hospital. She initially thought she had malaria when she fell ill, but was later diagnosed with mpox. The treatment she is receiving is helping her recover, and she is grateful for the care she is receiving.
The disease has spread rapidly, with cases detected in multiple African countries as well as Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines. In DRC alone, there have been over 15,000 cases and 548 deaths so far this year. Health workers like Rachel Maguru, who have experience dealing with previous epidemics such as Ebola and COVID-19, are working diligently to treat patients and prevent further spread of mpox.
However, the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC poses a challenge to responding to the outbreak. NGOs like Doctors Without Borders are working to support the government in treating cases of mpox in the midst of conflict and humanitarian crises. Despite the challenges, health workers are determined to continue treating patients and managing the outbreak as best as they can.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
