Ebola outbreak escalates in Congo; WHO opens treatment center in Bunia to contain the spread.
Congo strengthens medical response with the opening of a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia
Written by: Mohammed Omran
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, attended the opening of a new treatment center in Bunia, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of support for international efforts to combat the escalating outbreak of the virus in the region.
Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, is the epicenter of a rare Ebola virus outbreak, which is spreading rapidly despite the availability of some improved health facilities and the arrival of medical aid.
During his speech at the opening ceremony, Tedros praised the recovery of five patients infected with the deadly hemorrhagic virus, explaining that the first recovery was recorded on Friday, while four patients left the hospital within a short period.
The World Health Organization director said: “People can recover from Ebola, and some patients have already left the hospital,” stressing that seeking early medical care makes a big difference in chances of survival.
He pointed out that the Ebola virus of the Bundibugyo strain still lacks an approved treatment or vaccine so far, but that does not preclude the possibility of recovery in the event of rapid medical intervention.
He added that current efforts are focused on developing vaccines and treatments, but stressed that “this does not mean that the disease cannot be recovered from.”.
Tedros stressed that community response is a crucial element in containing the outbreak, calling on citizens to look after themselves and others to reduce the spread of infection.
The new center includes about 100 beds, of which 45 are currently available, and is equipped with the latest equipment to provide intensive care for Ebola patients.
The Congolese government is set to deploy specialized medical teams, including doctors, nurses and intensive care specialists from the capital Kinshasa, along with local staff and government partners, to operate the facility and receive all Ebola cases in Bunia and the surrounding areas.
