Mpox vaccination efforts in Mbandaka, the capital of the Equateur province, are facing a critical standstill. Only two out of eighteen health zones have been reached, leaving the majority of the population vulnerable.
“We’re surrounded by forests, and what happens there remains unchecked. Epidemics spread, and because we frequently venture into the forest for resources, we’re constantly exposed,” expresses Dr. Didier Ibenge, the provincial minister of health. “Right now, Equateur is ground zero for Mpox. We likely account for half of all cases in the DRC. Nearly every health zone in Equateur is affected.”
Ibenge highlights a critical gap in the approach, stating, “Our focus remains solely on human health, neglecting animal and environmental factors. People constantly venture into the forest, and awareness campaigns fall short. We also struggle with medication shortages. Despite universal healthcare coverage, reaching healthcare facilities remains a challenge. Imagine a patient needing to travel 10-15 kilometers just to reach the nearest center. The potential for further transmission along the way is alarming. Even when patients reach a center, often there’s no medication available. Our dedicated Mpox centers simply lack sufficient supplies.”
While the government received a donation, it falls drastically short of meeting the province’s needs.
“Only Bikoro and Lotumbe, two zones, have received vaccinations, with plans for a second round in four weeks. However, population movement makes containment difficult. People constantly venture into the forest, consume wild game, and the recent emergence of Mpox as a sexually transmitted disease adds another layer of concern. We urgently appeal to national authorities and partners to mobilize resources and combat this outbreak in Equateur province,” emphasizes Ibenge.
Mbandaka’s provincial health ministry is actively engaging in awareness campaigns, urging vaccination and promoting preventative measures.
Makila Bolonjua, the bustling port serving Mbandaka, implements strict measures for selling forest-sourced goods.
“Health officials recently conducted inspections, seizing contaminated products while allowing safe ones to remain. We educate vendors about hygiene practices, emphasizing the importance of safe purchases and sales. However, resistance from locals persists. Seizing perishable goods, particularly those from the forest, is often perceived as harassment. Despite this, we’ll continue raising awareness and prohibiting the sale of unfit food. We urgently request essential equipment like handwashing stations and hand sanitizer to curb disease spread,” explains Bébé Bolinga Amba, the market administrator.
José Ewele Bosongo, a fisherman at Makila, expresses frustration over the lack of government action, highlighting the daily exposure to diseases due to inadequate vaccination and healthcare resources.
“We work on fishing vessels daily, encountering passengers exhibiting strange symptoms, even witnessing deaths. This constant exposure puts us at risk. Vaccinations haven’t reached us yet. We urge provincial and national authorities to prioritize vaccination efforts, or we’ll continue witnessing rising Mpox cases,” he pleads.
Since the outbreak began, the Equateur province has recorded 7,006 cases and 370 deaths, according to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) branch in Mbandaka.
Time.news Interview: The Mpox Crisis in Equateur Province
[Opening Scene: The Time.news office, where the editor sits across from Dr. Didier Ibenge, the provincial health minister of Equateur. The atmosphere is serious yet engaged as they delve into the pressing issues surrounding the Mpox outbreak.]
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ibenge. The situation with Mpox in Equateur Province sounds dire. Can you paint a picture of what you’re seeing on the ground?
Dr. Ibenge: Thank you for having me. Yes, the situation is indeed critical. We’re currently experiencing a severe halt in vaccination efforts, with only two out of eighteen health zones having been reached. As a result, the majority of our population remains vulnerable. We’re essentially ground zero for Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Editor: That’s alarming. You mentioned in your statement that you’re surrounded by forests. How does that geographical factor contribute to the spread of Mpox?
Dr. Ibenge: The forests are central to our everyday life; people venture into them for resources. Unfortunately, whatever happens in those forests often goes unchecked, leading to potential epidemics. We’re exposed constantly, whether through direct contact or indirectly through the wildlife we interact with.
Editor: I understand that you’ve highlighted a gap in the current public health approach. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Ibenge: Certainly. Our healthcare focus has been predominantly on human health, but we’re neglecting the animal and environmental factors that also play crucial roles in disease transmission. Our awareness campaigns aren’t reaching far enough, and we face significant obstacles regarding medication and healthcare access.
Editor: Access is a major concern. You mentioned that patients sometimes have to travel 10-15 kilometers to reach a health center. What are the implications of that?
Dr. Ibenge: The implications are severe. Not only are these patients at risk of further transmission while traveling, but even when they arrive at a healthcare facility, they often find themselves without the necessary medications. Despite the promise of universal healthcare, the resources simply aren’t there.
Editor: It sounds like the vaccination efforts have encountered significant setbacks as well. What can you tell us about the recent vaccination campaigns?
Dr. Ibenge: Unfortunately, our government received a donation of vaccines, but it falls drastically short of addressing the needs of the province. So far, only two zones—Bikoro and Lotumbe—have received vaccinations, and the population movement complicates containment efforts further. With people venturing into forests and consuming wild game, we face a multi-faceted challenge.
Editor: You mentioned Mpox’s emergence as a sexually transmitted disease as a new layer of concern. How does this change the health strategy moving forward?
Dr. Ibenge: This new dimension complicates our strategies significantly. It requires us to expand our public health messaging beyond just environmental risks to include sexual health education. It’s vital that we tackle every possible avenue of prevention, hence our urgent appeal to national authorities and partners for more resources and action.
Editor: As we wrap up, what is your message to those watching who may want to help?
Dr. Ibenge: Our situation in Equateur province demands urgent action. We need increased resources for vaccination, improved medication supplies, and comprehensive public health awareness campaigns. I urge anyone who can contribute—whether through financial support, outreach, or advocacy—to join us in combatting this outbreak. Together, we can protect our communities and public health.
[Closing Scene: The camera fades out as the editor thanks Dr. Ibenge, leaving the viewers with a call to action to engage with the ongoing crisis in Equateur Province.]