In Uvira, within the general hospital, the NGO MSF and the Ministry of Health have set up a treatment center for those affected. Only the most serious cases are supported due to lack of available capacity.
From our special correspondent in Uvira,
To enter the Mpox treatment center in Uvira, wearing a mask and washing your hands are mandatory. Even early in the morning, the center is full of patients. In order to avoid everyone meeting at the same time, the flow of patients is regulated, explains the woman who welcomes us. She works for the NGO, Médecins sans frontières, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Because the disease is transmitted by close contact or sexual intercourse. And this is one of the challenges in combating contamination.
« We can give soap to wash at home, but in the end, if we don’t have water… we can advise not to share the mattress, but if there is only one mattress for six people, what can we do? It’s difficult. But we see up to 120 people per week at the moment, which is why we chose to admit mainly the most serious cases. “, she says.
Among these cases, we find Grace, who had developed complications before her arrival at the center. From the first skin rashes, however, she turned to several health professionals who abandoned her, she says. “ I realized I had spots around my genitals. And when I consulted, the pharmacists exclaimed: “Ah, it’s the Mpox“, and they told me it was very contagious. I felt like I had no value! », laments Grace.
The disease is not yet accepted by everyone and some continue to be afraid, as Doctor Panzu Nimi, head doctor of the Uvira health zone, explains: “ Our case evolution curve is truly atypical. We have already reached the peak, but we have not yet started the descent. We almost have a plateau, so cases are hiding, people are still afraid to say they are sick, and that is why we must strengthen our surveillance. »
Especially since Uvira is a crossroads town whose location reinforces its exposure to contagion. It is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, which connects four countries: the DRC, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia.
► Also listen: Mpox in the DRC: raising awareness to stop the virus in Miti-Murhesa, home of the epidemic [1/3]
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