Ebola Treatment Centres Serving Patients at Epicentre of Outbreak

Samaritan’s Purse has established Ebola Treatment Centres in Bunia and at a longtime partner mission hospital in Nyankunde, a medical facility that has been at the forefront of the response since the outbreak was declared in May.

The opening of the two centres in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) follows many days of around-the-clock transport of supplies and personnel, construction of containment and treatment wards, and training local medical workers in Ituri Province.

Nearly 90 percent of confirmed cases—hundreds so far—are located in the region. Our treatment centres are modified Emergency Field Hospitals specially outfitted to isolate patients to prevent transmission in the community, while also providing high-quality care and dignity to those who are suffering from this disease. The treatment centre in Bunia has 40 beds and the Nyankunde facility has 31 beds.

“Ebola is an extremely dangerous virus, and the case numbers keep climbing,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “These Ebola Treatment Centres are going to help isolate and care for patients who are suffering from the virus. Our prayer is that they will also bring hope to families and communities that are scared and hurting. We want them to know God loves them. Please pray for an end to this outbreak and for our team members who are willing to go help in Jesus’ Name.”

Samaritan’s Purse has worked in the region for decades and has a country office in the DRC. The organisation also sent 65 disaster assistance response team members to support this effort. In addition to patient care, they are conducting hygiene training and prevention education and have already installed dozens of handwashing stations. This is critical in helping stop the spread of the disease.

Samaritan’s Purse has also provided personal protective equipment to help safeguard healthcare providers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to mission hospital partners. We have airlifted tonnes of these life-saving resources and are actively procuring more personal protective equipment to help meet growing needs in the affected area.

Additional content is available at our landing page for this Ebola response.