Kinshasa, August 18th, 2026 (CPA).- Prime Minister Judith Suminwa has chaired a technical meeting on Monday in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), dedicated to the evaluation of the response to Ebola and the adaptation of the intervention plan, according to a press release consulted on Tuesday by CPA. “The Minister in charge of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, accompanied by members of the response team, including Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, has presented to the Head of the Congolese Government an update on the situation as well as the new measures envisaged to strengthen the health response,” the Prime Minister’s Office has indicated in a press release. Following this evaluation, according to this document, three key areas have been examined: the reinforcement of medical measures to complement standard public health measures, the provision of salary support, and the improvement of communication with communities. “The Minister in charge of Health has also mentioned the on-going research into two specific vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain, as well as the use of antiviral drugs that could be employed in the treatment of patients or, under certain conditions, of people at high risk of exposure to the virus, such as frontline healthcare workers”, the Prime Minister’s Office has explained, adding that the meeting has also resulted in the approval of a pay scale for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers mobilised in the fight against Ebola. “We have established a pay scale for doctors, nurses and all those working on the response,” has declared Minister Kamba, quoted in the press release.
A pay scale for the response teams
According to the source, this validation should enable the Minister in charge of Health to formalise the scheme by ministerial order and ensure a harmonised approach to the remuneration of teams working on the ground, adding that communication has constituted the third major focus of this meeting. “The Prime Minister has asked the response team to improve the quality and consistency of communication in order to combat the infodemic, particularly false information and rumours that could undermine communities’ support for public health measures,” according to the press release.
The communication plan will therefore need to intensify the public awareness, to improve people’s understanding of preventive measures and to prepare them for the various options under consideration, particularly with regard to vaccination and medical care.
Kinshasa under close surveillance
View of the participants
“In response to concerns about the possible spread of the epidemic to the capital, the Minister in charge of Health has sought to reassure the public whilst calling for increased vigilance,” has written the Prime Minister’s Office. “So far, there have been no cases in Kinshasa. This means that if we continue to strengthen the measures, there is a very good chance that Ebola will not reach Kinshasa,” has declared Roger Kamba. The surveillance measures have been stepped up, particularly along the Congo River. Around 65 kilometres from Kinshasa, a health checkpoint now screens vessels arriving from the affected areas to check passengers before they reach the capital. After three months of the response, the Government is therefore piloting a new approach with a view to adapt its measures to the evolving nature of the outbreak, whilst focusing on medical measures, the protection of frontline teams, epidemiological surveillance and enhanced communication with the public.ACP/