BEIJING, Dec. 03 (ChinaMil) -- The recent outbreak of malaria in Africa is affecting many UN peacekeeping mission areas. In Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 35 peacekeepers of the advance force of the Egypt special operations company were infected with malaria for being bitten by poisonous mosquitoes during their patrol in primitive jungles. They were in a serious condition.
Upon receiving the rescue assignment, the secondary hospital of Chinese peacekeeping force to Congo (DRC) took immediate action. 21 patients were admitted to the hospital; nine patients remained on observation status; and the remaining five patients were treated with antimalarial medicine in the primary hospital.
November, the rainy season in Bukavu, is the peak malaria transmission period. The stagnant water in the lower ground around the peacekeeping camps is the suitable larval habitats that increase the spread of malaria.
Malaria is a febrile illness with an incubation period, characterized by fever and related symptoms. Patients commonly suffer from flu-like symptoms such as feeling hot or shivery. Some of the infected Egyptian officers and soldiers experienced severe headaches and vomiting; some experienced shaking chills; some experienced symptoms of high fever and anxiety.
When the medical staffs were treating the patients, the other personnel of the Chinese peacekeeping secondary hospital were working around the clock to set up isolation areas and clean areas. They reinforced automatic curtains, placed extra anti-mosquito device and conducted disinfection operations in each ward.
After the meticulous treatment, all the Egyptian peacekeepers recovered and were discharged from the hospital. Every time a patient left the hospital, they shook hands and had group photos with the medical personnel to show their gratitude. The commander of Egypt’s special operations company also paid a special trip to the Chinese secondary hospital to express his sincere gratitude.
“Thanks the Chinese secondary hospital to Congo (DRC) for your great contributions to the UN peacekeeping mission areas! You provide us with high-quality medical services and professional anti-malaria knowledge. Your practices shall be promoted in all sectors,” said the commander of Sector South of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). He added, “Peacekeepers in the Bukavu mission area will always remember your generous and selfless contributions!”