Congo needs our help again! Unfortunately, we have admitted the first three cases of Covid-19 to our Congolese hospital in Ntamugenga.

We do not know the true impact of the third wave of the pandemic sweeping through African nations. Few countries are registering deaths and attributing them to the devastating impact of the virus. The death registration system in the vast majority of countries in Africa is simply not being used. Uganda, neighbouring Congo, is in a particularly difficult situation, with the authorities having decided on a hard lockdown which is to last over a month. However, this has not stopped the virus from reaching Congo!

The situation in the hospital in Ntamugenga, as well as in a neighbouring medical facility, is dramatic. They are slowly running out of beds and it is not uncommon for patients to be placed in abandoned buildings or in the open air. Some do not see a doctor at all and die alone at home as a result of breathing problems.

We are preparing to provide urgent help by adapting the hospital for the next wave of the virus, which is threatening the lives of the Congolese. We have erected a Good Factory tent in the courtyard, equipped with lighting independent of the hospital’s electric generators, and with beds for the patients. This way we can accommodate more of them in the hospital, and new patients are arriving every day!

Today we managed to discharge 3 people home, but we admitted another 8 in serious condition. We expect that all 80 beds that the hospital has at the moment will be filled in the next few days.

As a reminder, the hospital has no electricity, but it does have four oxygen concentrators which are powered by solar panels purchased thanks to your support! The concentrators allow up to six patients to be supplied at the same time.

The situation is further complicated by the recent eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, which has cut us off from the provincial capital for several weeks. We are using a makeshift pass through fields of solidified lava, but the vast majority of public institutions and services in the city are not yet operational, making it difficult for us to get supplies. Only points of absolutely essential supplies and a few medical outlets are open. Uganda was an alternative source of supplies for the hospital, but due to the rapid rise in cases of Covid-19, it has also closed its borders for many weeks.

We need to stock up on supplies! The hospital urgently needs personal protective equipment, IVs and medicines. We have launched an urgent fundraiser that will allow us and the hospital staff to prepare to fight for the lives of our patients. Join us in this fight!