The number of cases exceeded 11 thousand, the epidemic report was published! Critical call from authorities: 'Action must be taken urgently'

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has published a new report on the Ebola epidemic that has been going on for 6 months in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

'STILL NOT UNDER CONTROL'

The report warned that the second largest Ebola outbreak on record in the DRC is still not under control, and pointed out that the alarming disconnect between the large resources mobilized for response efforts and the support actually reaching patients, workers in the field and communities continues.

"Urgent action is needed to ensure that existing resources are translated into effective and coordinated activities where they are needed most. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from the international community, critical deficiencies in fundamental aspects of the response remain. This is hampering efforts to contain the epidemic and save lives," the report said. warning was made.

NUMBER OF CASES EXCEEDED 11 THOUSAND

In the report stating that the number of cases exceeded 11 thousand and the loss of life exceeded 5 thousand, a call was made for urgent action.

"The DRC and the United Nations (UN) organizations must ensure that the resources currently mobilized are transformed into an effective response. This requires strengthening supervision and accountability, appropriately training the personnel working in the field, paying their wages, equipping them with the necessary equipment and supporting them," the report said.

Pointing out the importance of directing resources to areas where needs are most intense, the report emphasized that the ongoing failure of the epidemiological surveillance system, which is the cornerstone of the entire Ebola response, is the biggest source of concern.

'IT IS COMPLETELY IGNORED'

"Despite officially being allocated resources for this critical activity, the surveillance system remains highly problematic. Some areas are inadequately monitored, while others are completely ignored," the report said. his opinion was shared.

It was underlined that approximately two-thirds of Ebola-related deaths reported last month occurred in the community rather than in treatment centers.

'IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT IS REQUIRED'

MSF International President Javid Abdelmoneim, whose views are included in the report, said, "Despite the large amount of funds provided for the response, many officers in the field remain empty-handed and out of pocket while trying to control the epidemic. Our teams often do not know what to say in the face of dysfunctions they witness in many areas. This situation is absolutely unacceptable."

Stating that the data collected by MSF reveals how serious the problem is, Abdelmoneim explained that only 9 percent of the Ebola cases treated by MSF in Ituri province since the beginning of the intervention were previously detected as "contact" by the surveillance system.

Abdelmoneim warned, "Although the environment of distrust in society makes surveillance work difficult, urgent improvements must be made in inspection, staff assignment and operational support. The number of teams in the field to combat the spread of the virus in other heavily affected regions of the country is quite insufficient."