Congo Rapidly Builds Ebola Treatment Center Amid Outbreak

Doctors Without Borders is constructing a new Ebola treatment center in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo, to address a recent outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus. Project coordinator Marcella Kraaij describes a rapid construction process on a former football field, aiming to open the 32-bed facility by July 27th. The center is designed to improve patient care and safety, featuring individual rooms with windows allowing families to see loved ones without risk of infection.

Local communities grapple with misinformation surrounding the virus, mirroring challenges seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kraaij and her team are conducting outreach to build trust and explain that Ebola is treatable, despite the lack of a vaccine for this specific strain. Beni faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including high unemployment and poverty, but Kraaij observes a resilient spirit among residents.

Currently, the region has recorded 35 confirmed Ebola cases, significantly fewer than the hundreds in the outbreak’s origin point. The new center will supplement the existing 20-bed capacity at Beni’s general hospital, hoping to manage a potential surge in cases.