Democratic Republic of Congo: AMI’s reaction to the cholera epidemic in the Uvira health zone (South Kivu) - August 2006
Print the pageDemocratic Republic of Congo: AMI’s reaction to the cholera epidemic in the Uvira health zone (South Kivu) - August 2006
A cholera epidemic has been spreading throughout the Uvira health zone since August 2006. Cholera is endemic in South Kivu, with epidemics becoming more and more frequent due to disruptions in water supply and lack of hygiene, both of which are consequences of the various conflicts that the country has endured since 1996.
AMI’s field teams, in close collaboration with the local health authorities (Health Zone Central Office), have set up emergency medical facilities to deal with confirmed cases of cholera. At time of writing, this has allowed 260 patients to be treated, and no deaths have been recorded.
AMI’s actions have involved:
* Providing medical care for patients at the CTC (Cholera Treatment Center) :
- In-kind donations: medical items such as catheters, and medication such as doxycycline, paracetamol, etc.
- Supervision and continuous training of CTC health staff by an AMI nurse specifically delegated to help with this epidemic.
- Financial participation for the recruitment of extra health staff: a nurse and a hygiene supervisor.
*Overall hygiene within the CTC :
- Thorough cleaning of the CTC.
- Providing instructions on hygiene to patients, carers, health staff and hygiene supervisors.
- Distributing preventive medicine (doxycycline) to carers.
- In-kind donation by AMI of products and equipment.
* Participation in the rehabilitation of the CTC :
- Digging a new refuse pit.
- Supply of water for the CTC.
AMI’s actions were made possible thanks to the support of UNICEF (in-kind donations), to financing by ECHO, and to effective coordination with the health authorities and other agencies present in the area (OCHA, WHO, International Rescue Committee, Tear Fund…)
Cases of cholera have been reported in other less accessible health regions such as the Uvira High Plateau. Aide Médicale Internationale is monitoring these areas from a distance, and providing in-kind donations for the local health authorities to cope with these cases.
Uvira, September 6th, 2006