According to a press release issued by the UN agency, this delivery, the largest airlift by WHO to the African Region since the beginning of the year, follows the first shipment, two weeks ago, of more than 14 tons of emergency supplies to support infection prevention and control measures and clinical care during the current outbreak.
These two operations will significantly contribute to ensuring infection prevention and treatment services in the country over the next three months. In addition to strengthening the response to the smallpox outbreak, medical equipment and supplies will also be delivered to laboratories as well as health centers in the regions and referral centers to provide care for other diseases.
For WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, this support from her organization as part of the smallpox response targets all core areas of control. We are strengthening our support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in all areas essential to the smallpox response, ensuring effective prevention as well as adequate testing and clinical care to stop the spread of this virus. “. ” We thank our partners for this important cooperation to enhance the current national efforts to eliminate this epidemic. She added.
Strengthening WHO's operational capacity
As part of its increased support to the smallpox response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO has strengthened its operational capacity on the ground. More than 300 polio experts, specializing in outbreak surveillance and response, have recently been integrated into the effort to combat the epidemic.
In addition, in collaboration with national health authorities and partners, WHO experts are working closely with communities to raise awareness about smallpox, strengthen prevention measures and encourage case reporting. Efforts are also underway to strengthen national diagnostic capacities by providing test kits, reagents and machines to decentralize testing to eight laboratories. According to WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for about 90% of the 30,000 smallpox cases reported since the beginning of the year in 14 countries in the African Region. To address the spread of this epidemic, WHO is working closely with partners and the government to strengthen capacities, expertise and response measures.
