Tue Feb 04 04:33:34 UTC 2025: ## Goma Hospitals Overwhelmed by Casualties from Congo Conflict
**GOMA, Congo – February 4, 2025** – Hospitals in Goma, a major city in eastern Congo, are overwhelmed by hundreds of wounded civilians following intense fighting between Congolese government forces and M23 rebels. The conflict, which began on January 26th, has already claimed over 700 lives and left nearly 3,000 injured, according to officials.
Bethesda Hospital, one of several facilities struggling to cope, reports receiving over 100 new patients daily, far exceeding its 250-bed capacity. Medical staff describe a desperate situation, with patients forced to share beds or lie on the floor due to severe overcrowding. The lack of staff and dwindling medical supplies further exacerbates the crisis. Similar scenes are unfolding at Kyeshero Hospital, where surgeons report removing dozens of bullets daily and exceeding capacity by more than 200% on some days.
The ongoing conflict has disrupted transportation routes, hindering the transfer of patients and crucial medical supplies. The closure of the international airport, now under rebel control, has further compounded the problem. This crisis comes amidst an already dire humanitarian situation in the region, with nearly 6.5 million people displaced by the fighting.
Doctors and nurses express deep concern about the risk of infection due to the sheer number of wounded and the limited resources available. One nurse at Bethesda Hospital stated, “They will get infected before we can treat them all.” Despite the grim reality, many injured civilians express gratitude for simply surviving the conflict.
The situation in Goma highlights the urgent need for international humanitarian aid to address the overwhelming medical needs and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population caught in the crossfire.
First Piper 