A second Ebola survivor has walked out of the Ebola Treatment Centre in Beni, giving health workers in eastern DRC a rare moment of relief as confirmed cases continue to climb.
Footage shows Justine Bahati leaving the centre to applause during a discharge ceremony held by staff.
“The first symptoms were vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe abdominal pain. I couldn’t eat; everything I swallowed, I vomited. I couldn’t even control my bowel movements, even in bed,” Bahati recalled.
Twelve days after being admitted in a very weak condition, she left in good health, ready to reunite with her family and return to daily life.
“It is a joy for us, those who treated her, a joy for us, those who supported her, a joy for the family who accompanied her, a joy for the entire community,” doctor in charge of patient care Jeremie Katsavara said.
Two patients have now reportedly left the main treatment centre fully recovered within a week. For medical teams, each recovery is a powerful reminder that early care can save lives.
“This centre was established here to help patients, and we are responsible for maintaining it properly. We thank all the doctors who work here, who work tirelessly day and night. They work every day to ensure that we have survivors of this disease,” Ebola Treatment Centre manager Rufin Mbusa said.
The recoveries come as the DRC begins the world’s first clinical trial of treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Unlike the better-known Zaire strain, Bundibugyo Ebola has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment.
The DRC and Uganda declared Ebola outbreaks on May 15, after laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease. The World Health Organisation later declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
According to recent reporting, more than 1,700 confirmed Ebola cases and 580 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak began. As of July 3, North Kivu had reported 139 confirmed cases. Of those, 31 were in Beni, including six active infections.
Source: Viory
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