Moms and Kids Shun Care Amid Congo Ebola Outbreak

Fear of Ebola is severely impacting healthcare access for women and children in eastern Congo, health workers report. This has resulted in a significant rise in maternal deaths and a decline in childhood immunization rates, potentially burdening the healthcare system for years.

Unfounded anxieties about contracting Ebola are leading pregnant women to avoid essential prenatal care and opt for home births, increasing risks. In Ituri province, maternal deaths climbed by nearly 70% between May and July compared to the previous year, a stark indicator of the Ebola outbreak's impact on primary healthcare.

Healthcare centers in Butembo city have seen a drastic decrease in births since the Ebola outbreak was declared in May. Nurses report that women often delay seeking treatment until it is too late, sometimes with fatal consequences for both mother and child. International aid cuts have also contributed to shortages of life-saving medications.

The Ebola outbreak has spread across seven provinces, infecting over 8,000 people and causing more than 4,000 deaths. Aid agencies report a significant fall in routine childhood vaccinations and pediatric visits in the initial months of the outbreak. In Mongbwalu, first-dose measles vaccinations dropped by 69%.

Misinformation and superstition exacerbate these concerns, with some parents fearing that seeking medical help will lead them to Ebola treatment centers. Paediatricians highlight tragic cases where children arrive in critical condition due to delayed treatment, often after attempted self-medication or visits to traditional healers.