Wemba’s Story: “I knew my journey with Ebola wasn’t over yet”
Kikopa “Wemba” Kambale used to work in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, chopping wood, to support his family. Today, the 36-year-old works at ALIMA’s Ebola Treatment Center in neighboring North Kivu province, in the city of Beni, where he cares for children who have been infected with the virus.
As an outbreak of Ebola continues to affect the region, Wemba plays a unique role in the response: As a survivor himself, he can no longer become infected with Ebola. Unlike most health staff who need to wear full personal protective equipment when interacting with patients, Wemba does not. He needs nothing more than a basic medical gown and rubber gloves. This is a huge comfort to children, who not only have been traumatized after being separated from their families, but who are further terrified by the sight of doctors wearing bright yellow suits, goggles and face masks.
Blog from the field: “In DRC, rolling up our sleeves to save Ebola patients”
Admiration. Joy. Fear. Sadness. Pride. Emotions were high during the week I spent with the team at ALIMA’s Ebola Treatment Center in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo.
My name is Anne-Gaëlle Borg and I have been working with ALIMA since 2016. In September 2018, I traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time to support the Ebola emergency response team. As communication officer, I was going to liaise with journalists, as well as interview our teams.
Ebola in DRC: ‘Madame has fallen ill’
Each day, for more than a week now, Maurice has come to visit his wife at the Beni Hospital, in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu province, where she is being treated for Ebola within ALIMA’s (The Alliance for International Medical Action) treatment center. He often brings along their 14-month old son, Ebenezer, who is happy to see his mom through the walls of ALIMA’s innovative CUBE (a biosecure emergency care unit for outbreaks).
EBOLA RETURNS TO DRC: ALIMA LAUNCHES EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Dakar/Kinshasa – Following the declaration of the second outbreak of Ebola this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other actors, has launched an emergency response to begin treating patients as soon as possible in North Kivu Province, in the east of the country. The NGO, which responded to the most recent Ebola outbreak in Equateur province, now has an experienced team on the ground in North Kivu, to better support local populations, who have already been rendered vulnerable by ongoing conflict in the region.
SOUTH SUDAN: The ongoing fight against malaria
Rainy season is well underway in South Sudan. And with the rains, come mosquitoes. With mosquitoes, comes malaria.
ALIMA opens an Ebola treatment center in the DRC equipped with Biosecure emergency Care Units (CUBE)
Dakar/Paris, June 18 2018. The medical humanitarian organization ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) will open an Ebola treatment center equipped, for the first time, with biosecure emergency care units, in Itipo in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ebola in the DRC: ALIMA has sent a team to evaluate the needs
Following the confirmation of multiple cases of Ebola, a team from ALIMA is currently conducting an evaluation to determine the needs of the medical facilities and among the populations of the cities of Mbandaka and Iboko in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Vaccination: the challenges and benefits in West and Central Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, the fight against infectious disease is a major public health challenge, with deadly consequences. Vaccinations remain one of our most effective weapons in fighting illness and keeping people healthy.
We spoke with Dr. Nafissa Dan-Bouzoua, medical team leader for ALIMA’s programs in Niger, Cameroon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Dr. Susan Shepherd, medical expert for ALIMA, who discussed the importance of vaccinations for the health of our patients, and the role that operational research plays in developing vaccines and increasing vaccine coverage.
5 things to know about measles
On the occasion of World Immunization Week, ALIMA takes a look at measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases. A safe and effective vaccine exists, which prevents individuals from contracting the disease.
When populations have not been vaccinated against measles, the disease spreads quickly. In fact, if not enough people in a community are vaccinated, the disease can spread to people who have not developed an immunity or been vaccinated. However, when enough people in a community are vaccinated against measles, everyone in the community is protected.
What should you know about measles and its vaccine?
“Ready to beat malaria”
On the occasion of World Malaria Day on April 25, ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) continues to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria throughout West and Central Africa.
