The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing crucial mental health and psychosocial support services to individuals affected by the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania. One such individual is Domitina Kahira, who lost her husband to the deadly virus in early January 2025.
Kahira, a resident of Biharamulo District in Tanzania’s Kagera Region, was admitted to a Marburg isolation center as a close contact of an infected person. After 21 days of monitoring her health, she was discharged but struggled with grief and the challenges of adjusting to life without her husband.
Mental health challenges are common during health emergencies, affecting recovered patients, community members, and health workers. To address these issues, WHO experts, in collaboration with psychiatrists, Ministry of Health social welfare officers, and UNICEF, have been providing counseling and psychosocial support to over 280 discharged individuals, including Kahira. Additionally, 110 health workers and community members have also received similar services.
Through regular counseling sessions using a “psychological first aid” approach, individuals are supported in reducing stress and avoiding long-term psychological problems. Kahira attests to the positive impact of these sessions, stating that her sleepless nights have reduced, and she is relieved to be reunited with her children.
The counseling sessions cover various aspects such as family reunification, self-care, stress management, and referrals for psychiatric medication if needed. Families are also provided with reunification kits containing essential household goods, health and food items, and early childhood development kits for children to cope with the impact of the loss through play and learning.
Furthermore, individuals like Kahira receive support in reintegrating back into their communities. Despite initial concerns, Kahira was welcomed back to her home village with love and dignity, thanks to the psychosocial support provided by WHO.
Rebecca Gwambasa, a regional social welfare officer, acknowledges the positive impact of WHO’s support, stating that it has brought families together and helped rebuild a happy community after the devastating outbreak. WHO, in collaboration with the Tanzanian government and partners, continues to strengthen mental health systems to offer essential care services and contribute to the socio-economic recovery of affected communities.
By prioritizing mental health and psychosocial support, WHO is playing a crucial role in helping individuals like Kahira navigate the challenges of recovery and rebuilding their lives after the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania.
