By McGeorge Mbare
The current violent situation in the Eastern DR Congo has led to significant loss of life and destruction of critical health infrastructure. The war torn region relies heavily on aid workers for its health care and the fighting has them fleeing to safer zones leaving the health system of the war’s epicenter reeling.
The World Health Organization has highlighted that health facilities and morgues are overwhelmed ,with the alarming expansion of violence, it’s likely to increase.
“The situation remains tense and volatile, and the health needs are immense. WHO remains on the ground, and has continued to respond to the health needs by providing lifesaving medical supplies, supporting health workers, and coordinating the emergency response. Hospitals and morgues are overwhelmed. Since 26 January, 3082 injured and 843 dead have been reported from 31 health facilities in and around Goma, North Kivu.With the alarming expansion of violence further south, 65 injuries were reported from 3 hospitals in South Kivu,” said WHO on its social media platforms.
WHO also said the number of injured people is expected to rise further as more of the injured are unable to reach health facilities and more dead bodies are gathered off the streets.
The World healthy body emphasised that the risk of childbirth and death during pregnancy has increased in Goma.
“The risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth has increased from already high levels. Given the insecurity, pregnant women cannot reach health facilities for safe delivery. Experience with conflict in the region has shown the drastic effect it has, with the rate of births attended to by skilled health workers dropping to near zero during periods of intense violence, ” WHO stated.
The conflict in the Eastern Part of the DR Congo has given birth to threat of infectious diseases, Cholera, Malaria, and Mpox. Cholera has increased due to the disruption of waters sources in the region.