Hospitals in Goma Struggle to Cope as M23 Rebels Advance, Hundreds Dead in Ongoing Conflict

Hospitals in Goma Struggle to Cope as M23 Rebels Advance, Hundreds Dead in Ongoing Conflict

Hospitals in Goma, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are overwhelmed as fierce fighting with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has led to widespread casualties. Hundreds have been killed, and the healthcare system is stretched to its limits, as hospitals try to manage an influx of patients suffering from traumatic injuries, with some victims requiring amputations and urgent care.

At Kyeshero Hospital, one of the main healthcare facilities in Goma, beds are filled with wounded patients. Prince Mungazi, a victim of the violence, was brought into the hospital with a bullet wound to his leg. He recounted the harrowing experience, saying, “The soldiers asked me for money, and when I told them I had nothing, they fired bullets. One hit me and another missed.” Mungazi did not clarify the identity of the soldiers involved, but the ongoing conflict has involved multiple armed groups, including the M23 rebels and Congolese forces.

As the M23 rebels solidified their control over Goma in the past week, they have continued their advance into South Kivu province, with reports indicating they were closing in on the provincial capital, Bukavu, by Friday. The escalating conflict has displaced thousands of civilians, and humanitarian aid operations in Goma have been disrupted, putting millions of people at risk.

Doctor Horace Kashema, a physician at Kyeshero Hospital, described the situation as dire. “We are so overwhelmed,” he said, as the hospital struggled to manage a large number of patients with serious injuries. “We don’t have enough supplies, and our stocks are running out. The slowdown in fighting gives us some hope, but it won’t last long.” Medical teams are working around the clock, but with limited resources, they face an uncertain future.

The M23, one of the most powerful armed groups in the DRC, is believed to be supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts. This number is significantly higher than during their initial takeover of Goma in 2012, when the group held the city for several days before being pushed back under international pressure on Rwanda. This time, however, analysts suggest that reversing the M23’s advance will be much more challenging, as the group has gained greater military strength and support.

The fighting, which is rooted in ethnic tensions and the struggle for control over the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern regions, has destabilized the area further. These regions hold valuable mineral deposits that are essential to global technology industries, making them a focal point for armed groups vying for control.

From his hospital bed at Kyeshero Hospital, Patrick Bagamuhunda shared his thoughts on the devastating conflict. “This is my first time experiencing war,” he said, his leg immobilized in a cast. “So many people have died, and we don’t know how far this war will go. But at least we’re still breathing.”

As the violence continues to unfold, both the local population and healthcare workers in Goma face a grim reality, with hopes for peace and stability fading as the conflict intensifies. The international community remains under pressure to take action to end the bloodshed and bring relief to those suffering in the region.

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