Médecins sans Frontières continues to support the treatment of burn victims in several hospitals in South Kivu province after a fuel tanker crashed and exploded in the village of Sange earlier this month. According to the latest figures from the Congolese Ministry of Health, the number of deaths has risen to 269.
MSF divides its support over three hospitals in the villages of Uvira, Bukavu and Sange, where the tanker exploded, treating 70 patients in total. In Uvira MSF provides intensive nursing care, surgery, conducts skingrafting, anesthesia, support to the laboratory, physiotherapy and is about to set up mental health assistance to the victims of the explosion.
MSF works closely with an Israeli team of burn specialists, consisting of 4 surgeons and a nurse from Tel Aviv’s Sheba medical centre as well as a number of surgeons sent by the Congolese Ministry of Health from Kinshasa. In Bukavu and Sange MSF intervenes with intensive nursing care as well and supports the Ministry of Health with medical supplies.
In all locations MSF is setting up comprehensive treatment plans for each individual patient to ensure the burn victims receive the much needed specialized care by focusing on pain management, infection control, specialized nutrition, physiotherapy and mental health. Throughout this highly specialized intervention, MSF works closely with and under the coordination of the provincial authorities to ensure the proper treatment for the victims.