DRC: Cholera consistently recurs in parts of North Kivu

17 November 2008

MSF (Holland) started a cholera treatment centre after cholera was diagnosed in the local health centre. © Sven Torfinn

MSF teams are continuing to work in Goma and in other parts of North Kivu. The organization remains very concerned about the many people still on the move, fleeing ongoing fighting. Many of the displaced and local residents continue to be in urgent need of food, clean water, healthcare and basic items like blankets and shelter materials.

Teams are continuing to work at a hospital and health centres in Rutshuru and Kiwanja. Last week at Rutshuru hospital MSF performed 96 surgeries and handled 235 emergency cases. Six people were treated for gunshot wounds. At the health centre in Rutshuru town there were 863 consultations last week – a quarter of them for malaria, and almost a third for respiratory infections. Some 76 cholera patients were treated in the Rutshuru cholera treatment centre, and another 28 at the treatment unit in Rubare. MSF hygienists have been disinfecting houses in Kiwanja and Rutshuru to prevent the spread of the disease.

In total in October, surgical teams performed over 400 surgeries at Rutshuru hospital. More than 100 of these surgeries were for gunshot injuries.

West of Rutshuru, in Nyanzale, the situation has been calmer recently. MSF is trying to increase its international staff presence at the health centre, where there are 25 children being treated for malnutrition, and 19 inpatients.

To the north, in Kayna, security is poor and MSF teams are unable to remain at the hospital or to send mobile clinics to Kanyabayonga. Fighting resumed south of Kanyabayonga on 16 November. On 17 November, 32 wounded patients were treated at Kayna hospital. An MSF team last made a flash visit to the hospital on 15 November.

In Kibati, just north of Goma, the MSF cholera treatment centre reported about eight to ten new cases per day for the week ending 14 November. In the past few days there has been a slight increase, to about 16 cases per day. Another MSF cholera unit in Goma has treated 151 patients from 4-16 November. MSF is continuing to truck clean water to Kibati camp.

Cholera consistently recurs in parts of North Kivu. As usual, MSF is treating cholera throughout the province. Recent fighting has led to an increase in the number of cholera patients. Risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of clean water, the constant movement of the population, and crowded conditions in displaced camps.

An MSF surgical team has begun working in one of two operating theatres at Goma general hospital.

West of Goma, MSF is working at the hospital in Kirotshe, and supporting health facilities in three locations beyond the frontline, in Mushake, Karuba, and Rubaya. In the past week MSF mobile clinic teams have performed some 390 consultations. Over the same period there were 227 outpatient consultations at Kirotshe hospital.

In nearby Shasha camp, an MSF psychologist has trained local staff to counsel people suffering psychological problems as a result of the conflict. The counselors will start seeing people today.

Northwest of Goma, in Kitchanga and Mweso, MSF is continuing to provide primary and secondary healthcare and running mobile clinics.

In Masisi, 80 km northwest of Goma, MSF is providing healthcare at a hospital and health centre. In Minova, west of Goma, an MSF team continues to support the local hospital and health centers, and is treating cholera patients.

MSF is continuing to explore the area, as security conditions permit, identifying people with unmet health needs following recent fighting and displacement.