Urgent Call for Vaccines in DR Congo Amidst Mpox Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is grappling with a severe mpox outbreak that has claimed at least 635 lives this year alone. Medical personnel on the front lines of this crisis are urgently calling for vaccines to help control the spread of this highly contagious disease, which was formerly known as monkeypox.

Mpox has hit the eastern region of DR Congo particularly hard, with South Kivu province becoming the epicenter of the outbreak. Despite a shipment of 200,000 vaccines from the European Commission arriving in Kinshasa last week, the vaccines have yet to reach the affected areas due to logistical challenges. The delay in distribution is critical, as the vaccines need to be stored at precise temperatures and transported to remote, conflict-ridden areas where infrastructure is severely lacking.

Emmanuel Fikiri, a nurse at a treatment center in South Kivu, shared his distress with the BBC, emphasizing the dire need for these vaccines. “We’ve learned from social media that the vaccine is already available,” he said. “But we are still waiting for it to reach us. Every day, I fear catching the disease and passing it on to my own children.”

The situation at local clinics is dire. Dr. Pacifique Karanzo, working tirelessly at a community hospital in Lwiro, described the grim conditions. “The patients are sharing beds, and many are sleeping on the floor,” he told the BBC. “We are running out of clean water and basic supplies. Our only support has been limited medicine and water, with no personal protective equipment for the staff.”

The hospital has seen a dramatic increase in patients, particularly young children, as the disease spreads. The overwhelming number of cases has strained the already limited resources, and there is growing concern about the lack of essential medical supplies and equipment.

The outbreak has intensified fears and created an urgent need for intervention. Faraja Rukara, a mother whose four-week-old baby is one of the youngest mpox patients at the clinic, expressed her anguish. “It’s heartbreaking to see my child suffer from this disease,” she said. Many families, unfamiliar with mpox, are in desperate need of assistance and vaccines.

However, the ongoing armed conflict in eastern DR Congo, particularly involving the M23 rebels, poses significant obstacles to the vaccination effort. Dr. Gaston Bulambo, head of North Kivu Provincial Health Division, pointed out that the conflict has severely impacted all vaccination programs. “Insecurity hampers our ability to deliver vaccines and other essential supplies to health zones,” he noted.

The provincial governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, highlighted the strain on resources caused by the conflict. “We are accommodating thousands of internally displaced people, which worsens the spread of the disease,” he said. “Most of our funds are directed towards the conflict, leaving little for health and social development.”

Despite these challenges, Governor Sadiki remains hopeful that the situation can be controlled. Vaccinations are expected to begin in October, prioritizing children under 17 and those in close contact with infected patients. The governor believes that with political will and continued efforts, the outbreak can be managed.

For now, the exhausted medics on the ground remain hopeful but cautious. Dr. Karanzo, despite his fatigue, is encouraged by the increasing awareness of mpox and the shift from traditional healing practices to seeking medical help. However, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. With over 5,000 confirmed cases this year, the combination of vaccines, medical supplies, and improved hygiene practices is essential to curbing the outbreak and preventing further loss of life.