A fourth Ebola treatment center has been opened in Matanda, Butembo, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The center, which has a capacity of 30 beds, including 10 for suspected cases and 20 for confirmed patients, was inaugurated on September 21, 2026. The center also features a crèche with six beds for the care of children. The construction of the center was made possible through the contribution of the local population to the response efforts against the Ebola outbreak.
The inauguration of the center was attended by Prisca Luanda, the principal coordinator of the North Kivu governor in charge of health. She encouraged continued partnership between authorities and humanitarian organizations in the fight against Ebola. Luanda emphasized that the construction of the center is a concrete contribution to the response efforts against the epidemic and encouraged the continuation of such partnerships.
Dr. Gaston Lubambo, the head of the provincial health division of North Kivu, highlighted the need for a community-based response to the Ebola outbreak. He stressed the importance of involving local community leaders in the response efforts to prevent the spread of the disease to other areas. Lubambo's comments underscore the need for a coordinated approach to combat the outbreak.
Dr. Jérémie Chimanuka, the provincial coordinator of the International Medical Corps (IMC), which financed the construction of the center, explained that the new facility will help increase the capacity to accommodate patients and cut the transmission chain of the disease. The center will provide holistic care, including medical, psychosocial, and nutritional support, to patients admitted.
The new Ebola treatment center in Matanda brings the total number of centers in Butembo to four, with two located in the Katwa health zone and two in the Butembo health zone. The center's inauguration is a significant development in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the region. The local population's contribution to the response efforts is being recognized as a crucial factor in the fight against the disease.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to pose a significant challenge to the country's health system. The disease has spread rapidly, and efforts to contain it are ongoing. The inauguration of new treatment centers is a critical step in the response efforts, and the involvement of local communities is seen as essential in preventing further spread.
The International Medical Corps and other humanitarian organizations are working closely with the Congolese government to respond to the Ebola outbreak. The response efforts include not only the construction of treatment centers but also community engagement, contact tracing, and provision of psychosocial support to patients and their families. The fight against Ebola requires a sustained and coordinated effort to prevent further spread and ultimately contain the outbreak.
Key points
- A new Ebola treatment center with 30 beds and a crèche has been inaugurated in Matanda, Butembo.
- The center was constructed with the contribution of the local population to the response efforts against the Ebola outbreak.
- The inauguration of the center brings the total number of Ebola treatment centers in Butembo to four.
