Hundreds of wounded individuals have inundated hospitals in Goma, eastern Congo, as clashes persist between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels who recently captured the city. The situation has overwhelmed medical facilities, with Bethesda Hospital alone receiving over 100 new patients daily, surpassing its 250-bed capacity.
The conflict, which began on Jan. 26, has resulted in more than 700 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries in Goma and its surroundings. The city, home to millions displaced by the crisis, faces one of the world's largest humanitarian emergencies.
Amid the influx of patients with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, hospitals like Bethesda and Kyeshero are grappling with inadequate staff and supplies. Medical workers are strained, with some patients forced to share beds or lie on the floor awaiting treatment.
The M23 rebels, supported by thousands of Rwandan troops, are a significant faction among the numerous armed groups vying for control in Congo's resource-rich east. The rebels now aim to advance towards the capital, Kinshasa, over 1,000 miles away, citing governance issues under President Félix Tshisekedi.
The conflict in Congo has deep-rooted ethnic ties, with M23 claiming to protect ethnic Tutsis in the country. Rwanda alleges persecution of Tutsis by Hutus and former militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The fighting has disrupted supply chains, exacerbating shortages of medical resources.
As hospitals struggle to cope, the death toll stands at 773, with 2,880 injured individuals confirmed by the government. Concerns about disease outbreaks loom large, as morgues overflow and bodies remain unburied. The region faces risks of endemic diseases like cholera and measles due to mass displacement and malnutrition.
Health authorities warn of potential disease spread in communities, emphasizing the urgent need for medical intervention and humanitarian aid. The situation remains critical as hospitals grapple with limited resources and escalating casualties in the conflict-ridden region.
