17 African countries are facing one of the worst health crises in recent years. Epidemics are only increasing, and this is putting the health of millions of children at risk, according to UNICEF.
Cholera, hemorrhagic fevers, and viral fevers are on the rise due to climate change, which is affecting the most vulnerable populations. Among the diseases with the highest and most worrying mortality rate that are currently affecting children is hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus.
The quality of health systems in many places in Eastern and Southern Africa is low, and this has serious repercussions.
DR. JEAN BRUNO
Doctor in Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo)
We don't have enough resources - financial resources, in fact - to provide all the support we need. There are challenges we can consider, such as caring for patients to ensure continuity of care, but also identifying, finding, and recovering patients, especially infectious ones, such as those with measles or cholera who have ended up in the community.
Abuse, violence, and child labor exploitation increase exponentially when adults in families are affected by one of these viruses. In fact, it is women and girls who are at greatest risk of sexual abuse and exploitation due to their delicate economic situation.
Tanzania is being affected by the Marburg virus, Uganda is fighting Ebola, Burundi and Uganda are being affected by smallpox, and another 12 countries including South Sudan, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe are affected by cholera. Africa currently holds the world record for deaths from cholera and dysentery.
BAM
TR: GS
