Health promotion in the time of coronavirus in Democratic Republic of Congo

Managing these rumors and suspicions has become a major part of my job. The spread of false information in the form of rumors is dangerous for Congolese people and NGOs alike. Downplaying the severity and reality of COVID-19 by believing it to be a manmade political tactic will result in people not following the prevention measures laid out by the authorities, leading to higher mortality and potential backlash and violence.

Addressing these rumors is a careful balance of listening to their views, respecting their beliefs, and gently correcting inaccuracies.

Through these sessions with the community we have learned that the main concerns have less to do with contracting the actual virus and more to do with the threat of a government-imposed lockdown and the inability of the current health system to care for them.

“So many people are dying in Italy, where they have good hospitals. How will we manage here when there are no hospitals?”

“We cannot stay in our houses, we will starve.”

Their fears are valid—the reality the Congolese people are facing is severe and there are potentially deadly consequences that go beyond the virus.

Our discussions with community members have also made us aware of a growing fear of health centers. People are avoiding them for fear of catching COVID-19, and health care workers are scared of treating incoming patients.

“Can I still go to the hospital if I have malaria?”

“Won’t I get infected with coronavirus if I go to the hospital where there is a confirmed case?”

“Is it safe to touch the bodies of people who have died from coronavirus?”

When we understand what the population is scared of, and what rumors they believe, we can develop an outreach strategy that addresses the nuances and realities of each area where MSF is working. It is why discussions and information sessions are so important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to COVID-19 is complicated around the world, but in countries like DRC the challenges are exacerbated by persistent extreme poverty, instability, conflict, and a health care system that is barely functioning. It is a country where rumors spread easily, with simmering armed conflict and with populations that are constantly on the move to escape the latest waves of violence perpetrated by armed groups.

“How can we protect ourselves when there are new internally displaced people arriving? How do we know where they come from?”

“I can’t afford to buy enough food for my family anymore since the price has gone up.”

At the end of the day, many people in Goma are scared. People everywhere are scared. Nobody knows what the coming months may bring. This is why proactive health promotion is so important: People need answers to their questions from a source that they trust. People need to have access to accurate information. During times as uncertain as these, health promotion becomes a critical activity. It is how we connect and engage with people, how we learn about their fears and beliefs and needs. Community engagement informs the type of response that is needed in the community and helps MSF develop effective and appropriate interventions to support the population.

And so our health promotion teams will continue traveling into the community, as long as the situation allows, to listen, to ask questions, and to give the community a voice and make sure that the population we serve are at the center of MSF’s response.