Providing Ebola protection among inmates in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: World Health Organization **Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo—**Behind the blue walls of Bunia Central Prison, where more than 2000 inmates live in close quarters, an Ebola isolation and care unit has been established to provide safe clinical care, protect the health of inmates and staff, and help prevent the spread of the virus as the health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo work to end the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak. Constructed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the UN Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO), the four-bed temporary isolation unit is an investment in preparedness. More than a physical structure, it is a safeguard against a disease affecting several communities in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. Strong infection prevention and control measures are critical in prison settings, where overcrowding, frequent movement and close social interaction can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola. At Bunia Central Prison, inmates regularly interact with visitors, participate in communal activities including football matches, and gather in shared spaces. In such an environment, maintaining robust prevention, screening and preparedness measures is essential to reducing transmission risks and protecting both the prison population and the wider community. The new isolation and treatment unit provides a dedicated space where people presenting with symptoms can be safely isolated, monitored and cared for while awaiting laboratory results. By enabling early intervention, the facility helps reduce the risk of transmission among detainees, prison staff, healthcare workers and surrounding communities. “The project was delivered in close collaboration with local community members, with the majority of the workforce made up of inmates who contributed their skills and labour, demonstrating the positive impact of community engagement and rehabilitation efforts in strengthening the local health response, ” says Michele Di Marco, WHO’s technical coordinator and architect. The unit has self-contained sections with bathroom facilities for up to four patients. The isolation unit brings another layer of protection to a prison health system that already manages a range of medical needs, including tuberculosis care. By integrating Ebola preparedness into routine healthcare services, authorities are strengthening their capacity to respond rapidly to public health threats while maintaining essential care for detainees. For prison officials, the facility offers reassurance in the face of a disease that can spread quickly if left undetected. “We’re grateful for this act of prevention. We were very worried to if we were to have a confirmed case here. We’re so relieved now to see that we are prepared, ” says Zonzi Mokonyo Camille, the Bunia Central Prison Director. For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact: Saida Swaleh Communications and Media Relations Officer WHO Regional Office for Africa Email: saida. swaleh@who. int Eugene Kabambi Communications Officer WHO DRC Tel: +243 81 715 1697 Office: +47 241 39 027 Email: kabambie@who. int

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