WHO chief visits epicentre of Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
Kinshasa, May 31
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, on Saturday visited Bunia in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where a severe Ebola outbreak has been declared.
WHO's Director General told reporters in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, that the international community was helping the DRC government cope with the outbreak, but "at the same time, community ownership is important".
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that was the reason for his trip: "We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help."
He is expected to inaugurate a large Ebola treatment centre in Bunia in the form of a permanent building rather than simple tents.
The moves come as the World Health Organisation has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) following the latest outbreak, which has claimed 246 lives among more than 1,000 suspected cases.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see international support, but 246 deaths out of 1000+ cases is still too high. In 2014, we had similar struggles in West Africa. The DRC needs more than just one centre - they need education, vaccines, and trust-building with communities.
It's a tricky situation, this PHEIC declaration. On one hand, it mobilises resources. On the other, it can scare away tourists and hurt the economy. Remember how Kerala handled Nipah in 2018? Community ownership and swift action made all the difference. DRC can learn from that.
Permanent building instead of tents is a practical step. But WHO should also focus on contact tracing and safe burials - those cultural practices often fuel outbreaks. Tedros visiting personally shows commitment, but actions speak louder than photo ops.
Respect to WHO for their efforts! As someone who volunteered during Kerala floods, I know how vital community trust is. The phrase "community ownership" is spot on. Without local buy-in, even the best medical facilities can fail. Hope this treatment centre saves many lives. 🇮🇳🤝🇨🇩
246 deaths is alarming, but look at the big picture - Ebola is preventable with proper hygiene and medical care. India's village health workers (ASHA) model could be useful here. We need more ground-level coordination, not just high-level visits.
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