- Santé
From Bunia, Ituri province, Patrick Muyaya, the government spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media, urged a “balanced perspective” on the extensive efforts undertaken by Congolese authorities to combat the Ebola virus disease epidemic. This significant outbreak continues to impact the eastern provinces of Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and Sud-Kivu within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During a joint briefing on Thursday, June 18, 2026, alongside Roger Samuel Kamba, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, Muyaya addressed criticisms from certain non-governmental organizations involved in the health response. He affirmed the government’s openness to constructive feedback but stressed the importance of acknowledging the tangible progress made on the ground. While conceding that significant hurdles remain, he cautioned against promoting undue alarm.
“I prefer not to name the criticizing NGOs. Clearly, we operate with transparency. You observed the various speakers earlier; no one received instructions on what to convey. We are not asserting that everything is flawless; that is not our claim. Our assertion is that we are fulfilling our responsibilities,” the government spokesperson stated.
Muyaya underscored that the Congolese state proactively assumed its duties by allocating its own financial resources before external partners provided support. He further clarified the nature of international funding, particularly those publicized by some foreign entities.
“The government did not await external partners. Currently, 50 million USD has been provided by the government, as we believe in leading by example. All the international funding you hear about, from the American government and other partners, is not directed to our government. These funds are channeled directly to NGOs,” he elaborated during his address.
The minister urged all stakeholders involved in the response to prioritize collective accountability, suggesting that some criticisms do not consistently align with the realities experienced on the ground.
“We are all committed to the shared goal of ending this epidemic. However, it is a different matter for those who believe this outbreak presents an opportunity to solicit additional resources. There are alternative channels for advocacy,” he observed during his speech.
He called upon the organizations in question to exercise greater discretion in their public statements: “To diminish the sacrifices of those present on the front lines is to undervalue their dedication. I would appeal to these NGOs for more restraint, as a closer examination of their field activities also reveals areas for critique.”
For his part, Roger Samuel Kamba, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, expressed his intention to focus on quantifiable outcomes rather than engaging in controversies.
“I prefer to remain focused on the facts,” he declared, proceeding to list the metrics he considers vital for evaluating the response. “I prefer to observe the monthly number of tests conducted, tally the treatment centers established each month, assess the community outreach personnel deployed monthly, count the daily samples analyzed, and track the number of individuals who have recovered,” he elaborated.
The minister asserted that the effectiveness of the response should be gauged by concrete actions implemented on the ground. “That is what truly matters to me. Rumors and attempts by individuals seeking to gain undue credit hold no interest for me,” he continued. Roger Samuel Kamba believes the definitive assessment will be possible once the health crisis concludes: “When this epidemic is over, everyone will be able to reflect on the work accomplished and draw their own conclusions.”
On May 17, 2026, merely two days after the official declaration of the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus and spreading from the DRC to Uganda, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The WHO indicated that the epidemic has seen considerable geographical expansion, suggesting its true scale might be underestimated. This challenging situation is exacerbated by high population mobility, vulnerable healthcare systems, inadequate health infrastructure, and restricted access to conflict-affected regions.
Further complicating these challenges is the current lack of an approved vaccine and specific treatment for the Bundibugyo virus. Despite this alarming backdrop, Congolese authorities maintain a positive outlook, drawing confidence from their extensive experience in successfully managing sixteen prior Ebola epidemics within the nation.