WHO seeks 5,000 more health workers as Ebola outbreak worsens in DR Congo

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Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday that it requires a further 5,000 health professionals to assist contain the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where health facilities are struggling to keep up with the spike in cases.

The Ebola outbreak, fuelled by the Bundibugyo strain, has extended to six provinces in eastern and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to WHO data, almost 6,600 people have been sick and 3,175 have died since the outbreak began in May.

The World Health Organization presently employs roughly 4,000 health workers in treatment facilities. It forecasts that approximately 9,000 workers will be required to maintain a targeted capacity of 3,000 treatment beds, resulting in a 5,000-person shortage.

Nearly 1,400 beds are presently available across 59 treatment facilities, but an additional 1,600 beds are required as the virus spreads. WHO experts have cautioned that a lack of financing and experienced foreign partners were delaying the response.

The WHO has requested additional international financing to assist the $1.3 billion response plan over the next six months.