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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Health & Science

Ebola: Analysis laboratories to be established in Bunia

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Health Minister Roger Kamba announced the establishment of Ebola virus disease analysis laboratories in Bunia, Ituri province.
  • Tests will now be conducted locally to speed up patient care and reduce sample backlogs.
  • The province has sufficient supplies of tests, protective equipment, and essential medicines to manage the current outbreak.

Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, will now have its own laboratories for analyzing Ebola virus disease cases, according to an announcement by Minister of Public Health Roger Kamba. This development aims to expedite the treatment of patients and prevent the accumulation of samples awaiting analysis.

Minister Kamba stated on Saturday, May 30, that diagnostic tests will be performed on-site in Bunia. He assured that essential medicines, protective equipment, and testing supplies are readily available in sufficient quantities in the region, which has become the epicenter of the epidemic. "We have received the first-line medicines and are already distributing them. We have everything needed to cover the current testing requirements," Kamba said.

We have received the first-line medicines and are already distributing them. We have everything needed to cover the current testing requirements.

— Roger KambaMinister of Public Health Roger Kamba assured the availability of essential supplies for testing and treatment in Ituri.

He further confirmed that the Ituri province possesses enough doses to test all potential new cases. The minister highlighted that this local diagnostic capability represents a significant advancement in the fight against the Ebola epidemic in the region. "We are around 260 positive samples out of about 900 samples tested, so we are certain of the number of positive cases," he added, emphasizing the progress made in identifying and managing the outbreak.

We are around 260 positive samples out of about 900 samples tested, so we are certain of the number of positive cases.

— Roger KambaMinister of Public Health Roger Kamba provided figures on the number of positive Ebola cases identified in the province.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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