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Resurgence of leprosy in Beni: 4 new cases notified since the beginning of 2022
16.05.2022,
PROVINCES
Four new cases of leprosy have been notified in the Beni region, North Kivu province, since the beginning of 2022. They are in addition to the 70 others who are being monitored at the Mbimbi leper colony, in Oicha located about thirty kilometers northeast of the city of Beni.
The history of the Mbimbi district has been linked to this disease since before independence. At the beginning, nearly 4,500 leprosy patients received care in this center following the expertise of Dr. Karl Becker. Today, the disease has decreased significantly, explains Doctor Shadrac Sogheranda, chief medical officer of the Oicha health zone.
“Leprosy is essentially nervous and often leads to infirmity in the limbs or deformity in the face. As we already know the causes, this means that we also know the treatment. This is why the number has been clearly reduced and it is a disease which tends to decrease. You should also know that it is a disease linked to the hygiene and cleanliness of people. We are more afraid of it because everyone shows up when there is a stain on the body,” explained the area chief doctor.
If at the beginning people were afraid to rub shoulders with leprosy patients, today they benefit from the visits of people from outside the site who bring them food and non-food items. Every day, the nurse Isaac, a laboratory technician assigned to this site, rubs shoulders with these patients, he is among those who care for them. He himself is the son of a leper and is involved in the response to this disease. He regrets the absence of several doctors and nurse specialists to detect this disease, which would increase the risk of its development in the community.
”We have difficulties because there are not enough specialists in this disease. There are nurses who are even here in the field but are unaware of a case of leprosy. They can always administer other drugs to the latter without realizing it until the case becomes complicated”, specifies the nurse.
These 70 patients, men, women and children followed in the leprosarium of Mbimbi, some have been there since the creation, in this case Paluku Malikidogo Daniel, known as Nyamulera, the flute (instrument of ancient wind music in the form of a pipe pierced with orifices).
He has been leprous since childhood, he lost all his toes. He lived in Mbau before being taken by Doctor Karl Becker, until Oicha, whom he never ceases to thank for having saved his life when he felt rejected by his family.
”I had arrived here even before the installation of this site. I participated in the construction of this house. I no longer have a family, my family is now here. Me, I lived in Mbau, my family has already abandoned me. If I'm still alive it's because of Becker who welcomed me here and cared for me”.
Kasereka Fataki is still young. He came from Byakato in Mambasa territory in Ituri province, a few months ago. He was detected as a leper while he was being treated in a structure without anyone realizing his illness. He says he is abandoned by his family, who don't even visit him, they only communicate by telephone.
Kambale Mwatsi is no longer able to walk. He is still in his wheelchair, unable to move due to the severity of the disease. The other is Mumbere Seghemera Gilbert, who has already lost his left leg and fingers and only walks with crutches.
Delphin Mupanda (Correspondent in North Kivu)
congo-press.com (MCP) / mediacongo.net
https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-104783_resurgence_de_la_lepre_a_beni_4_nouveaux_ca s_notifies_depuis_le_debut_de_l_annee_2022.html
Resurgence of leprosy in Beni: 4 new cases notified since the beginning of 2022
16.05.2022,
PROVINCES
Four new cases of leprosy have been notified in the Beni region, North Kivu province, since the beginning of 2022. They are in addition to the 70 others who are being monitored at the Mbimbi leper colony, in Oicha located about thirty kilometers northeast of the city of Beni.
The history of the Mbimbi district has been linked to this disease since before independence. At the beginning, nearly 4,500 leprosy patients received care in this center following the expertise of Dr. Karl Becker. Today, the disease has decreased significantly, explains Doctor Shadrac Sogheranda, chief medical officer of the Oicha health zone.
“Leprosy is essentially nervous and often leads to infirmity in the limbs or deformity in the face. As we already know the causes, this means that we also know the treatment. This is why the number has been clearly reduced and it is a disease which tends to decrease. You should also know that it is a disease linked to the hygiene and cleanliness of people. We are more afraid of it because everyone shows up when there is a stain on the body,” explained the area chief doctor.
If at the beginning people were afraid to rub shoulders with leprosy patients, today they benefit from the visits of people from outside the site who bring them food and non-food items. Every day, the nurse Isaac, a laboratory technician assigned to this site, rubs shoulders with these patients, he is among those who care for them. He himself is the son of a leper and is involved in the response to this disease. He regrets the absence of several doctors and nurse specialists to detect this disease, which would increase the risk of its development in the community.
”We have difficulties because there are not enough specialists in this disease. There are nurses who are even here in the field but are unaware of a case of leprosy. They can always administer other drugs to the latter without realizing it until the case becomes complicated”, specifies the nurse.
These 70 patients, men, women and children followed in the leprosarium of Mbimbi, some have been there since the creation, in this case Paluku Malikidogo Daniel, known as Nyamulera, the flute (instrument of ancient wind music in the form of a pipe pierced with orifices).
He has been leprous since childhood, he lost all his toes. He lived in Mbau before being taken by Doctor Karl Becker, until Oicha, whom he never ceases to thank for having saved his life when he felt rejected by his family.
”I had arrived here even before the installation of this site. I participated in the construction of this house. I no longer have a family, my family is now here. Me, I lived in Mbau, my family has already abandoned me. If I'm still alive it's because of Becker who welcomed me here and cared for me”.
Kasereka Fataki is still young. He came from Byakato in Mambasa territory in Ituri province, a few months ago. He was detected as a leper while he was being treated in a structure without anyone realizing his illness. He says he is abandoned by his family, who don't even visit him, they only communicate by telephone.
Kambale Mwatsi is no longer able to walk. He is still in his wheelchair, unable to move due to the severity of the disease. The other is Mumbere Seghemera Gilbert, who has already lost his left leg and fingers and only walks with crutches.
Delphin Mupanda (Correspondent in North Kivu)
congo-press.com (MCP) / mediacongo.net
https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-104783_resurgence_de_la_lepre_a_beni_4_nouveaux_ca s_notifies_depuis_le_debut_de_l_annee_2022.html
