DRC: Ebola, « Public Health Emergency of International Order » (WHO)

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, has just declared the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the DRC, an international public health emergency (PHEIC), this 17th of July 2019, from Geneva where a meeting of the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was held in the DRC.

The Committee cited the recent evolution of the epidemic in formulating its recommendation, including the first confirmed case in Goma, a town of almost two million people on the border with Rwanda, and the door to entrance to the rest of the DRC and the world.

For Dr. Tedros, it is time for the world to learn and redouble efforts.

« We must work together in solidarity with the DRC to end this epidemic and put in place a better health system. Extraordinary work has been done for almost a year under the most difficult circumstances », he insisted.

Hence, the need for all stakeholders (WHO, government, partners, etc.) to mobilize more.

« Evaluating the risk and level of preparedness for the Ebola response in various parts of the country is something we need to do regularly. We need to make constructive noise with assessment of Ebola preparedness in each province so that the DRC presidency makes Ebola a top priority priority today », suggested Dr. Justin Masumu of National Institute of Biomedical Research.

Opinion shared by some Congolese observers who feel that the Congolese state does not invest enough in the fight against Ebola. Since it is the security situation that is one of the determining factors of the spread of this epidemic.

It is up to them to question: why does he not double his efforts to pacify these areas and allow the teams to work in peace?

The media are also called upon to contribute because they have an important role to play in raising awareness about this disease. It should be noted that this declaration of urgency comes as a result of the disappointment noted by the committee in the face of funding delays that limited the response to Ebola.

Committee members also stressed the need to protect the livelihoods of those most affected by the epidemic by keeping transport routes and borders open.

In their view, it is essential to avoid the punitive economic consequences of travel and trade restrictions imposed on affected communities.

An international public health emergency (PUSF) is declared when there is a risk that a health event will affect people’s health beyond, not only in the country where the problem is occurring, but also in the region.

« It’s important for the world to follow these recommendations. It is also crucial that States do not use the public health emergency of international concern as an excuse to impose restrictions on trade or travel, which would have a negative impact on the response, life and livelihoods. inhabitants of the region », said Professor Robert Steffen, who chaired the Emergency Committee.

Nadine Fula