Aid group MSF opens new Ebola treatment centre in eastern Congo

French humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) announced on Friday the opening of a new Ebola treatment centre in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility is located in Beni, North Kivu province, which has recorded 122 confirmed cases and 87 deaths since the outbreak began in mid-May. North Kivu has the highest case fatality rate among Congo's six affected provinces, with a 68% death rate, according to government data.

Aid workers have highlighted a shortage of bed capacity as a major obstacle to the response efforts in the 17th outbreak in Congo. Dr Wessam Mankoula, head of emergency preparedness and response at the Africa CDC, stated that up to 2,000 additional beds are needed to manage the situation. Since there is no vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, relief workers primarily rely on traditional methods such as tracing contacts, isolating patients, and early diagnosis to control the spread of the virus.

Albert Stern, MSF's emergency coordinator, emphasized that prompt diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve patient survival rates and reduce the risk of transmission within families and communities. MSF currently employs 1,400 staff in Congo and operates treatment centres with a total of 400 beds.