The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has committed $9.5 million to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in combating the world’s largest mpox epidemic.
The funds will target six provinces with the highest transmission rates: Equateur, Sud-Ubangui, Sankuru, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, and Kinshasa, which has a population of 17 million.
The DRC has reported 5,160 confirmed mpox cases and 25 deaths since the beginning of the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the limited testing capacity in the country, suggesting the real number of mpox cases could be five times higher than confirmed.
Government and Global Fund Collaboration
Dr. Roger Kamba, DRC’s Minister of Health emphasized the importance of international collaboration, stating that their partnership with the Global Fund and other health partners has a proven track record in reducing infectious diseases.
“We are determined to continue to work in the same manner for a strong response to mpox,” he added
The Global Fund’s support will reinforce ongoing efforts in collaboration with the DRC Ministry of Health, WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and various humanitarian organizations, particularly in eastern DRC where the mpox outbreak intersects with other health crises.
Challenges towards Mpox Emergency Response in Conflict Zones
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, noted the additional challenges in conflict-affected regions, where damaged infrastructure and limited health services exacerbate the spread of disease.
“Strong systems of trusted community health workers and local responders are essential for stopping disease spread,” Sands said.
The Global Fund has already provided personal protective equipment to the most affected provinces and will continue to work with local partners to prevent the epidemic from worsening.
The connection between mpox and HIV, particularly among people with compromised immune systems, adds urgency to these efforts.
According to the Global Fund, strengthening mpox prevention will also support the country’s broader efforts to reduce HIV transmission.
The Global Fund’s financial support will focus on key areas outlined in the country’s National Preparedness and Response Plan. These include strengthening disease surveillance systems, improving laboratory diagnostics, promoting community engagement, and implementing infection prevention measures to protect health workers.
Since 2003, the Global Fund has invested nearly $3.2 billion in DRC’s healthcare system, fighting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and now, mpox.
The Global Fund is encouraging other affected countries to assess their mpox needs and consider reallocating existing resources to respond to the epidemic.
