UN aid coordination office warns of health crisis in eastern DRC
Kinshasa, DRC (PANA) - The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) on Monday reported that health systems across North and South Kivu in the restive Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have, in effect, collapsed.
Around 85 per cent of health facilities in the volatile eastern region where armed groups hold sway, are experiencing medicine shortages, while nearly 40 per cent have seen an exodus of medical staff – further weakening the delivery of essential health services, UN News reported.
In North Kivu alone, UN partners reported that a third of all health facilities in the province’s conflict zones have been destroyed, looted, or abandoned, leaving millions with extremely limited access to healthcare.
To make matters worse, the collapse of health systems is compounded by outbreaks of deadly epidemics.
“Since the beginning of the year, health partners have recorded over 8,600 cases of cholera, 8,000 cases of monkeypox, and more than 10,500 cases of measles,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Without urgent action, the UN estimates that 6,000 preventable deaths could occur between now and the end of the year.
As of now, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the DRC is just 16 per cent funded, with $410 million received. The UN critically needs an additional $6 million to procure essential supplies and maintain these life-saving services.
In more positive health news, health authorities in DRC discharged the final patient from the latest Ebola virus outbreak, marking what the World Health Organisation described as "an important milestone".
A total of 19 patients have recovered from the disease, said the UN health agency. No new cases have been reported since 25 September. In total, 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable) have been reported since the outbreak was declared on 4 September in Kasai Province.
-0- PANA MA 21Oct2025
