As international concern grows over the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, several English-language media outlets have reported on ALIMA’s work in affected areas, including Bunia and Rwampara, in Ituri province.
Their coverage highlights different dimensions of the response: caring for patients safely, deploying the CUBE isolation system, mobilizing contingency stocks, strengthening surveillance and responding in a context where treatment capacities remain limited.
Caring for patients while protecting health workers
In an interview with the BBC, Dr. Papys LAME, ALIMA Medical Service Manager and coordinator for the Ebola response in Bunia, described a situation where suspected cases are being reported across several health zones, while functional Ebola treatment capacities remain limited.
The BBC interview also focused on ALIMA’s CUBE, a transparent isolation unit that allows medical teams to monitor and care for infectious patients while reducing exposure risks. The system also enables relatives to see and speak with their loved ones safely.
“What we want is not to isolate patients, but to isolate the virus.”
— Dr. Papys LAME, ALIMA, on BBC
Resources remain far below what is needed
Reuters reported on the shortage of basic supplies facing Ebola responders in eastern DRC, from protective equipment and medicines to motorbikes needed for contact tracing.
Mamadou Kaba Barry, ALIMA’s Head of Mission in DRC, told Reuters that ALIMA had activated its contingency stocks, including tents, protective equipment, medicines and laboratory equipment.
“These are not huge stocks, but they allow us to be agile and quick.”
— Mamadou Kaba Barry, ALIMA, quoted by Reuters
He also warned:
“The resources are far below what is needed today.”
— Mamadou Kaba Barry, ALIMA, quoted by Reuters
“We are still far from saying that the situation is under control”
In The Guardian, ALIMA teams warned that the outbreak is gaining momentum. Hama Amado, ALIMA Field Coordinator in Bunia, called for broad mobilization as the virus continues to spread across several areas.
“Everyone must mobilise. We are still far from saying that the situation is under control.”
— Hama Amado, ALIMA, quoted by The Guardian
The article also quoted Dr. Richard Kojan, ALIMA intensive care clinician, on the similarities with previous Ebola outbreaks: late detection, insufficient resources and the lack of a vaccine at the outset.
“If they are admitted to the treatment centre early, the viral load will be low in their samples, and then, with optimised care, they will have a high probability of surviving.”
— Dr. Richard Kojan, ALIMA, quoted by The Guardian
International support under pressure
The New York Times focused on the broader impact of reduced U.S. involvement in global health response systems, including disease surveillance networks and medical supply chains.
The article also highlighted ALIMA’s operational role, noting that our organization is setting up isolation wards in Ebola-affected districts.
Acting quickly to contain the outbreak
Across these international media reports, ALIMA teams have emphasized one urgent message: the response must be reinforced to protect patients, health workers and communities.
Read and listen
- BBC — Interview with Dr. Papys LAME, ALIMA Medical Service Manager, on the situation in Bunia and the use of the CUBE isolation system.
- Reuters — Article on shortages of medicines, masks, motorbikes and other critical supplies for Ebola responders.
- The Guardian — Article on the rapid spread of Ebola in DRC, overwhelmed health facilities and ALIMA’s role in patient care.
- The New York Times — Article on how reduced international health support may have hindered Ebola containment efforts, with comments from ALIMA’s Head of Mission in DRC.
