The Mpox outbreak, previously named monkeypox, is raising serious concerns worldwide, particularly about the disparity between the Global North and Global South when it involves healthcare resources and responses. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the end of the Mpox emergency just under two years ago, the reality has taken a worrying turn. The WHO's premature announcement only scratched the surface of the issue, ignoring the persistent nature of the disease within African borders.
Beauty Dhlamini, writing on the current state of Mpox, highlights how the global health community's response has not measured up to the severity of the situation, particularly for African nations. Over 15,000 suspected cases have emerged, with 581 documented deaths, particularly within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), showcasing not only the spread of the disease but also the failure of international aid to effectively address the epidemic.
Much of the press continues to portray Mpox as strictly an African issue, sidelining the outbreaks occurring elsewhere, which leads to misrepresentation and stigmatization. Statistics reveal more confirmed cases of Mpox within the UK than seen across 53 African countries. This misrepresentation has significant ramifications for the equitable distribution of resources, as the global perception can skew the urgency needed for intervention.
The vaccination scenario is particularly troubling. Even as WHO member states pledged over 31 million smallpox vaccine doses during the height of the outbreak, these resources have not found their way to the individuals who need them most. Most vaccines were quickly sent to the US and Europe, leaving African countries waiting. The recent donation of 10,000 vaccine doses to Nigeria marks just the beginning of what should be a comprehensive response.
The notion of 'vaccine apartheid' is troublingly evident, with African public health experts warning early on about the potential for broader infection. Yet, their admonitions often fell on deaf ears, reflecting the larger systemic inequalities at play. Instead of preparing for the unique challenges posed by Mpox, the global community turned its back, allowing the virus to mutate and spread. It has been poignant to note how Covid-19 spurred some efforts toward health equity, but the commitment has been insufficient when it concerns diseases endemic to Africa.
Most experts attribute the resurgence of Mpox to intertwined issues of social neglect and the inadequacies of quick fixes recently adopted by global health organizations. A recent response yielded funding increases—$10.4 million from the African Union and $1.45 million from the WHO—but these funds represent only palliative solutions, not cures. It’s about time global health efforts turned their focus toward fundamentally addressing what allows these health crises to flourish.
During the previous Mpox outbreak, 95% of cases were reported among sex workers and gay or bisexual men, linked through close contact or sexual transmission. With such demographics being severely affected, targeted vaccination strategies emerged during the 2022 outbreak, and health organizations responded efficiently to mitigate the immediate health risks. The lessons learned remain pertinent today, as we confront how the model of health responses can be adapted to serve, rather than diminish, high-risk communities.
Unfortunately, the inequalities starkly surface as the discussion often centers on economic motives rather than genuine health priorities. Poor surveillance within regions historically impacted by Mpox has led to emergent strains of the virus, including the more lethal Clade 1 subtype, which now poses greater threats to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Governments, especially those of the Global North, rushed to suppress the outbreak on their home fronts, often neglecting Africa's warning signs. Such prioritization shifted focus, allowing Mpox to reinvigorate its presence and treatment complexity without adequate global partnership.
It’s disheartening to see the healthcare disparities perpetuating the narrative of Africans as disease vectors rather than addressing their needs with compassion and effectiveness. While organizations like the Africa CDC initiated their internal surveillance networks to manage the spread of Mpox, consistent support from global health bodies remains elusive. Waiting on the WHO or Western nations' donations and strategies won't dismantle the roots of this problem.
What can we learn from the way Mpox has been treated? A departure from traditional response mechanisms is imperative, as reliance on temporary funding and attention can only go so far when battling endemic diseases. Underlying factors—poverty, societal stigma, and systematic underfunding of healthcare—must be confronted head-on if we aim to reallocate ownership of health autonomy back to the people it affects most.
Recent debates around funding responses to outbreaks remind us of the need for sustained investment, policy, and attention directed toward vulnerable communities. Bogged down by systemic failures, the question begs: how long will nations continue playing the blame game instead of actively rectifying the imbalances and inequalities within the healthcare systems?
Reflecting on the lessons from Covid-19, if global health bodies do not adjust their strategies and hold member states accountable for equitable healthcare delivery, we risk falling prey to routine outbreaks of endemic diseases. A serious reevaluation of priorities is necessary. It's not just about distributing vaccines; it’s about treating health as a universal right, rather than a commodity.
Beauty Dhlamini's views remind us how urgent the need for change is, as disparities plague the system; we cannot overlook them any longer. With the current Mpox outbreak serving as another reminder of historical negligence, the road toward equitable and effective healthcare demands both systemic change and immediate action. We have to prioritize solidarity over division, adaptability over complacency, and sincere commitment over performative gestures of aid.
