The last quarter of the year heralds a major breakthrough in the fight against Mpox, this dreaded viral disease also known as monkeypox. Promising news was recently announced by the Government with the receipt of a donation of 100,000 doses of vaccine at N’djili airport in Kinshasa. This generous gesture was made by Germany to support the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the fight against this epidemic.
The Congolese authorities expressed great gratitude for this life-saving donation and announced their intention to distribute these precious doses as a priority in the provinces of the western part of the country where demand is most pressing. This strategy aims to maximize the impact of the vaccine and protect the most exposed populations.
Dr. Amédée Prosper Djiguimde, Chief of the Health Section at UNICEF, highlighted his organization’s commitment to the vaccine distribution chain across the country. He affirmed that UNICEF will act as a facilitator to ensure that the doses are adequately stored and distributed according to the Government’s guidelines. This close cooperation between the Congolese authorities and international partners is essential to ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine.
Paul Guthmann, Political Counsellor at the German Embassy in the DRC, stressed the importance of this delivery as a sign of his country’s determination to collaborate in the fight against the Mpox epidemic. He recalled that pandemics do not respect borders and that a collective response is crucial to stem their spread.
This initiative of international cooperation in the fight against Mpox demonstrates the importance of solidarity and coordination of efforts to face global health challenges. The receipt of these 100,000 doses of vaccine represents a significant step towards better protecting the Congolese populations against this deadly disease, and demonstrates the common will to fight pandemics together.