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Ebola Update from Nebobongo
We have so much to share with you about our recent trip to Pakistan and our ongoing programs in Gabon, the DRC, Uganda, and Pakistan. However, we have decided to pause our regular newsletter for a couple of weeks to bring you a much more urgent request on behalf of our partners at Nebobongo Christian Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Many of you may have seen recent reports about the Ebola outbreak affecting the northeastern regions of the DRC. On May 15th, an official outbreak was declared. While the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a decade ago led to significant scientific advances, including vaccines and treatments for certain strains, this outbreak involves a different and far more difficult variant known as the Bundibugyo virus. At this time, there are no approved vaccines or proven treatments available for this strain.
The outbreak is spreading rapidly, with more than 900 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths reported so far (BBC, 5.26.26). Containment efforts are made more difficult by ongoing violence and conflict in the region, large-scale population movement across border areas, and the displacement of nearly two million refugees due to years of instability.
We want to help Nebobongo Christian Hospital prepare and protect both patients and staff by providing urgently needed prevention and protective supplies. This remote hospital operates with extremely limited resources and often struggles to afford even the most basic healthcare necessities, let alone emergency outbreak response supplies.
Dr. Sengi training Nebobongo Staff
Below are some of the immediate needs:
- $15 per box of 100 examination gloves
- $18 per box of 100 face masks
- $15 per kilogram of chlorine
- $40 for 5 liters of 70% isopropyl alcohol
- $16 per pack of 100 disposable caps
- $3 per pair of safety glasses
- Fencing for the hospital perimeter is a longer-term and expensive goal to manage entrants safely
These photos show Dr. Jean Sengi wearing protective equipment required for Ebola preparedness, handwashing stations set up outside the hospital, and staff training focused on identifying and isolating suspected Ebola cases.
Dr. Sengi
We are praying the outbreak never reaches Nebobongo Hospital. Even so, these supplies are essential not only for emergency preparedness but also for the hospital’s daily patient care, so nothing purchased will go to waste.
Outdoor handwashing stations
100% of all funds raised will go directly to Nebobongo Christian Hospital for Ebola prevention and preparedness. If we have extra funds, they will go toward the monthly debt repayment program, which also needs funding.
Thank you for standing with us and with the Nebobongo hospital staff, courageously serving on the front lines in the DRC.
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