Kagera, Tanzania – Domitina Kahira, a resident of Biharamulo District in Tanzania’s north-eastern Kagera Region, is on a challenging path to recovery after losing her husband to Marburg virus disease in early January 2025.
As a close contact of an infected person, she was admitted to a Marburg isolation center for 21 days to monitor her health and prevent further transmission. Although she was eventually discharged and reunited with her family, the grief of losing her husband and the difficulties of adjusting to life afterward have significantly impacted her mental well-being.
“I was worried about my pregnancy, my children at home, and our future,” she recalls. “How was I going to look after them on my own? How was the community going to receive me? A lot was going on in my head.”
Mental health challenges tend to intensify during health emergencies, affecting recovered patients, community members, and health workers alike. To address these challenges, mental health experts, psychiatrists, social welfare officers, and counselors have been providing support to those affected. Around 280 individuals discharged from isolation and treatment centers, along with another 110 health workers and community members, have received counseling and psychosocial support.
“The sleepless nights I had have massively reduced compared with previous days,” says Kahira. “I am also relieved to reunite with my children.”
The counseling sessions follow a “psychological first aid” approach, designed to assist individuals in the immediate aftermath of crises or traumatic events. The primary goal is to reduce stress and lower the risk of long-term psychological difficulties.
“Being on the frontline of the response, mental health and psychosocial support services are crucial in rebuilding people’s resilience during and after emergencies,” explains Jerry Mlembwa, a risk communication and community engagement officer. “Efforts will continue to strengthen mental health systems, offering both basic and clinical care services to aid socio-economic recovery.”
The counseling sessions cover family reunification, self-care, stress management, and referrals for psychiatric treatment if necessary. Additionally, families receive reunification kits containing household goods, health and food supplies, and early childhood development kits to help children cope with loss through play and learning.
Kahira also received assistance in reintegrating into her community. “I was worried that people in my community would give me a cold look as I returned to my home,” she shares. “But it turned out differently. I am happy to be welcomed back with much love and dignity after all I went through.”
The psychosocial support initiatives have played a significant role in bringing families back together. “Disease outbreaks leave a lasting mark on communities, but with the right support, we are helping to build a happier and more resilient community,” says regional social welfare officer, Rebecca Gwambasa.
