Kinshasa: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have enhanced their cooperation to combat Mpox, a disease responsible for nearly 1,400 deaths in the country since the beginning of 2024. The collaboration marks a significant step in addressing the health crisis that has heavily impacted the nation.
According to Lao News Agency, DRC Minister of Health Roger Kamba recently met with Chikwe Ihekweazu, Deputy Director-General and Deputy Executive Director of the WHO Emergencies Programme, to discuss the necessity of a global and coordinated response to the Mpox epidemic. The meeting emphasized the importance of integrating health services effectively, involving communities actively, and utilizing reliable data to inform decision-making and response strategies.
Minister Kamba highlighted the need for collective, sustained, and enduring efforts to eradicate Mpox. He stressed the importance of renewing their commitment to safeguarding the population and preventing future
outbreaks, a sentiment he shared publicly on Twitter.
In the third week of 2022, from January 13 to 18, the DRC recorded 888 suspected cases of Mpox without any deaths. This data indicates an improvement compared to previous weeks, where 2,318 suspected cases and 20 deaths were reported between December 30, 2024, and January 4, 2025. Additionally, from January 6 to 11, 3,717 suspected cases and 26 deaths were reported, according to the Health Ministry.