MSF expands Ebola treatment in Democratic Republic of Congo
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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is increasing its Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), extending care from Nia Nia, in Ituri province, to Kisangani, the capital of neighboring Tshopo province.
The organization has opened new Ebola treatment centers (ETCs) in both locations to address the growing outbreak. In Kisangani, MSF transitioned to a larger 22-bed ETC at the end of September, while in Nia Nia, they opened a 50-bed facility alongside an existing hospital in early August.
The outbreak’s spread is linked to movement between Ituri, Tshopo, and Haut-Uele provinces, with thirteen of fourteen cases in Kisangani by September 1 connected to Nia Nia. MSF teams are working to overcome challenges in Nia Nia, including limited healthcare access and community distrust fueled by misinformation. Initially, many people stayed home with symptoms, but more recently, patients have been arriving at the Nia Nia ETC alive, indicating increased acceptance of treatment.
MSF recognizes that controlling fear and misinformation is as important as medical care. They are collaborating with community leaders and health workers to address concerns and promote accurate information. The organization emphasizes that a successful response requires a combined effort including surveillance, testing, contact tracing, and community engagement, to prevent the disease from spreading and ensure no community is left behind.
