In the heart of Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedro Ghebreyesus delivered powerful message of solidarity and hope amidst the 17th Ebola outbreak to strike the nation.
Addressing a press briefing on the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, the Director- General emphasized that the people of
Ituri, the Kivus, and all of DRC are not alone in this fight.
The visit, though under somber circumstances, was a testament to the WHO’s commitment to listening and supporting communities.
“We are not here to tell people what to do. We are here to listen. Communities understand their own challenges and their own solutions,” Ghebreyesus stated, underscoring the critical role of community ownership in bringing
the outbreak to an end.
Meetings with local leaders, women’s groups, religious figures, and youth were planned to build trust, a cornerstone of any effective response.
This collaborative spirit extended to high-level discussions with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka in Kinshasa, where a commitment was made to strengthen DRC’s health system for long term, ensuring that investments made during this crisis would leave a lasting legacy.
This particular outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or treatment currently exists.
However, the message was far from despair. “This is not without hope,” the Director-General affirmed, highlighting that with good medical care, survival is possible, and some individuals in Ituri have already recovered.
Clinical trials are actively underway to advance safe and effective vaccines and treatments. The remarks also stressed the importance of preventative measures and responsible practices.
Hand hygiene, sharing accurate information, and safe, dignified burials were identified as crucial.
While acknowledging the profound pain of loss, he urged communities to adapt certain burial practices that could inadvertently spread virus, emphasizing that protecting each other, even in grief, is paramount.
A call was also made to countries that have imposed travel bans or border closures to reconsider these measures, as they hinder the response, discourage the transparency vital for saving lives.
The WHO pledged its unwavering support, vowing to remain alongside
the DRC for as long as it takes, committed to leaving behind a stronger health infrastructure for years to come. “You are not alone in this. We are here, we are with you, and we will see
this through together.”