Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has said, the World Health Governing Body will use the ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to “strengthen” the health system in Ituri Province.
The WHO DG made the statement during a “good” meeting with Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of DRC, on the response of the country against the outbreak of ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Ituri Province is one of the most affected areas by Ebola disease in DRC, and it is the reason Ghebreyesus made the decision to move to the Central African country alongside his team to end the spread of the disease.
Earlier, he announced, he is moving to DRC as Ebola disease returns to the country for the 17th time.
He said on X, DRC has successfully defeated ebola “16” times and it is still properly positioned to “end it this time”.
Ghebreyesus made known: “Good meeting with Prime Minister @SuminwaJudith on #DRC’s response to the outbreak of #Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the country’s east.”
He said: “We agreed that community ownership of the response is a critical component for bringing the outbreak under control, and that the government’s experience in ending 16 previous Ebola outbreaks leaves it well placed to end this one.”
The WHO Chief also revealed to the DRC PM on the United Nations (UN) Health Agency’s actions with various partners to support the government on its fight against the disease.
Both also conversed on bolstering the health systems across the country, as well as, enhance “preparedness” in services and emergency.
Ghebreyesus said: “I updated the Prime Minister on @WHO’s coordination and collaboration with multiple partners in support of the government-led response.
“We also discussed how we will use this outbreak as an opportunity to strengthen the health system in Ituri and other provinces of the country, and improve services and emergency preparedness.”
Photo: WHO DG, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
