Politicians must work across party lines and borders to end the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said to member states in Geneva following his visit to the DRC, the WHO reported June 19.
Dr. Tedros said bipartisan leadership is the only way to garner community support for ending the outbreak. Other countries must also take responsibility for supporting health responders working in the DRC.
Dr. Tedros arrived at the DRC June 16 to meet with various political, community, business and religious leaders. He reviewed changes in the country's response since his last visit in late April, when there were problems with insecure work environments and low participation by aid groups.
Dr. Tedros also oversaw the introduction of a new Ebola vaccine protocol June 16, which will now allow vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children 6 months and older. The city of Butembo and town of Katwa have already seen improved infection trends since the protocol's launch.
Several aid organizations continue to face a severe funding shortage in the fight against Ebola. The WHO needs an additional $54 million to sustain its current response level in the DRC.