The fight against Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must not draw attention and resources away from measles, cholera and other health emergencies still affecting communities in North and South Kivu, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned.
MSF said DRC recorded more than 108,643 suspected measles cases between January and July 19, with 1,394 deaths reported.
More than 50,827 of the cases occurred in North and South Kivu, where communities are already facing serious challenges linked to years of conflict.
The country also reported more than 35,464 suspected cholera cases and 1,051 deaths during the same period. North and South Kivu accounted for 14,819 of those cases.
The health crises are unfolding as fighting continues to displace communities, disrupt vaccination efforts and limit access to healthcare, clean water and other basic services.
“The Ebola disease outbreak is a major emergency, but it is not the only one. Every day, we receive patients suffering from various diseases, people injured in fighting, and survivors of sexual violence,” said Joshua Eckley, MSF Head of Programmes in South Kivu.
MSF has responded to six measles outbreaks across North and South Kivu, treating more than 12,050 patients and vaccinating over 283,150 children.
The organisation has also treated more than 2,410 cholera patients at health facilities it supports. This included Goma, where MSF teams responded to a cholera outbreak between May and early August.
The Ebola outbreak, which has recorded more than 4,500 cases and 2,100 deaths, has also created another challenge for the wider health system.
MSF said fear of contracting Ebola has discouraged some patients from visiting health facilities, causing delays in treatment for other illnesses.
Malaria remains another major concern, with the disease still the leading cause of illness in DRC. MSF warned that North Kivu could be left out of the next three-year Global Fund financing cycle for malaria.
“We risk seeing a reduction in the resources dedicated to the disease that nevertheless kills the most people in this region,” Dr Yvan Mbangi, MSF Deputy Medical Coordinator in Goma, said.
“It would be a tragic paradox: mobilising considerable resources against one outbreak while weakening the response to a disease that continues to cause a far higher number of deaths every day.”
MSF is calling on authorities, donors and humanitarian organisations to continue supporting health services across North and South Kivu.
The group said the Ebola response should be carried out alongside efforts to treat measles, cholera, malaria and other illnesses while also addressing the wider needs of communities affected by conflict.
“It is vital that all emergencies be addressed simultaneously,” Eckley said.