Rimba, a Mahagi territory located in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently facing an alarming medical supply situation. Indeed, around 534 people living with HIV, 141 of whom were registered only in the first quarter of 2024, risk finding themselves without access to care due to an imminent shortage of medicines.
Local health authorities are sounding the alarm, highlighting the fact that current stocks of medicines are only enough for the next 10 days, until the beginning of July. Jean François Ugenth’o, administrator of the Rimba health zone, expresses legitimate concern about this critical situation. He is launching an urgent appeal for help to restock medical facilities in the region with medicines to avoid an interruption of treatment for patients living with HIV.
The Rimba health zone is distinguished by a high HIV-AIDS prevalence rate, partly due to its proximity to the Ugandan border. Currently, only 534 patients out of the 568 expected benefit from medical monitoring, representing a treatment rate of 80% of patients estimated per year. It is crucial to emphasize that stopping treatments due to this shortage could lead to relapses and health complications for many already weakened patients.
In addition to this major problem, the Rimba health zone is faced with other structural challenges, notably the limited reception capacity of the Ngote General Reference Hospital, having only 75 beds for a population estimated at nearly 84 100 inhabitants. This situation raises essential questions about the need to strengthen medical infrastructure and ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines to guarantee quality care for the entire population.
It is imperative that local health authorities, with the support of international partners and health stakeholders, put in place sustainable solutions to alleviate this shortage and guarantee access to care for all. The health of populations cannot be compromised by stock shortages of drugs essential for the treatment of illnesses, particularly for people living with HIV. The need for a rapid and effective response to this crisis is urgent, in order to preserve the lives and well-being of the residents of the Rimba health zone.