Standing Together Against Mpox: Humanity Rises to the Challenge!
After overcoming Mpox, how do those who have recovered feel? What memories do they have of their time at the treatment centre? And above all, have they started to adopt behaviours that effectively protect them against the disease? Read their testimonies
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July 25, 2024, will be remembered as a turning point for public health in Burundi. The official announcement of the Mpox epidemic by the Ministry of Public Health immediately sparked concern and apprehension among the population. Faced with this health threat, local institutions, supported by their partners, quickly implemented measures to contain and treat the disease.
Among these partners, UNICEF, with financial support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played a decisive role in supporting children and their parents. This support, made possible by a financial commitment, went beyond the medical sphere. It took the form of food, psychological support, educational assistance, and listening and counseling for those affected. These interventions highlight the importance of donors, as without their support, it would have been impossible to provide both high-quality care and comprehensive assistance to patients.
In the field, we closely monitored these actions, visiting former patients to collect their testimonials, provide them with further support, and warn them against stigmatization. Arakaza Furaha, a 16-year-old girl from Buterere, recalls her two-week stay at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Hospital treatment center:
“I received comprehensive care, including medication, meals, and, above all, kind attention that gave me courage. They explained to me the importance of hygiene and preventive measures. Now that I am cured, I am deeply grateful for this warm support.”
However, not everyone's care journey has been so straightforward. Claudine Nahimana, 22, who was pregnant at the time of her infection and hospitalized for a month and a half, recounts:
“The disease was particularly aggressive for me. My diet was even adjusted to support my health. Unfortunately, I lost my baby. Psychological support was essential, as it helped me to accept this loss. My body still bears the scars, but the support I received helped me to cope.”
The medical teams remember each case with humanity and vigilance. Nsengiyumva Irene, the center’s head nurse, emphasizes:
“Care also included nutrition. Some children were malnourished. I particularly remember one baby who was very thin because his mother was unable to breastfeed him for mental health reasons. We fed him formula milk and monitored his weight every day. He was eventually discharged with a normal weight for his age.”
She added that patients should continue to receive support and food aid, as relying on their own means or on food from relatives increases the risk of virus transmission.
These stories remind us of a reality: fighting an epidemic is not just about medicines or medical care. It requires active solidarity, constant human commitment, and, above all, the indispensable support of development partners. Their support makes it possible to mobilize resources, address essential services such as psychosocial and mental health support, strengthen community strategies, and preserve the dignity of those affected.
We also thank our operational partners in the field, notably Global Community for Development and Spring Communities. In this context, every gesture and every investment lights the way through the health crisis, transforming adversity into hope.
