Report on the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A new outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the first in three years. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a significant number of cases and fatalities, presenting a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. This report details the status of the outbreak, the coordinated response, and the direct relevance of these events to specific SDG targets concerning communicable diseases and global health security.

Outbreak Details and Current Status

The outbreak, first declared near the town of Bulape, has shown signs of geographical expansion. The current situation poses a significant public health threat, undermining progress towards ensuring healthy lives for all.

• Confirmed and Probable Cases: 48
• Fatalities: 31
• Geographical Spread: The disease has expanded from two to four districts.
• Timeline: This is the first declared Ebola outbreak in the DRC in three years.

International Response and Health System Strengthening (SDG 3 & SDG 17)

In line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the WHO and its partners are actively supporting the DRC government’s response. This collaborative effort is crucial for strengthening the country’s capacity to manage health emergencies, a key component of SDG 3.

• Expert Deployment: 48 experts have been deployed to the affected region.
• Logistical Support: Over 14 tons of essential medical equipment and supplies have been delivered.
• Infrastructure Development: An 18-bed Ebola treatment center has been established in Bulape, currently treating 16 patients.

Containment and Treatment Strategies (Addressing SDG 3.3)

The response focuses on direct medical interventions aimed at ending the epidemic, directly contributing to SDG Target 3.3, which calls for an end to epidemics of communicable diseases. The following measures are being implemented:

1. Contact Tracing: Over 900 contacts have been identified and are being monitored by health authorities.
2. Vaccination Campaign: Vaccination efforts are underway for contacts, potential contacts, and front-line health workers to prevent further transmission.
3. Therapeutic Treatment: Courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy Mab114 have been administered to 14 patients in treatment centers.
4. Patient Recovery: The first two patients to recover from the virus have been successfully discharged, demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment protocols.

Background on Ebola Virus Disease and its Challenge to SDG 3.d

Ebola remains a persistent threat to global health security, highlighting the importance of SDG Target 3.d, which aims to strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.

• Nature of the Virus: A viral hemorrhagic fever first discovered in the 1970s, harbored in wild animals like fruit bats.
• Symptoms: The disease can cause body aches, fever, diarrhea, and impaired kidney and liver function.
• Persistence: The virus can persist in the bodies of survivors and re-emerge years later.
• Historical Context: The deadliest recorded outbreak occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, resulting in over 11,000 deaths and demonstrating the virus’s potential for widespread devastation.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) primarily addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the most central SDG, as the article focuses entirely on a public health crisis—the Ebola epidemic. It discusses the disease’s spread, the number of cases and deaths, and the public health response to control the outbreak and treat patients.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the collaborative effort between a national government and an international organization to combat the health crisis. This demonstrates the importance of global partnerships in achieving sustainable development, particularly in managing health emergencies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the information provided, several specific targets can be identified:

Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.3: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.” The article is explicitly about an Ebola outbreak, which is a communicable disease that has reached epidemic levels in the DRC. The entire response described, from tracking cases to treatment, is aimed at ending this specific epidemic.
• Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.” The article mentions the provision of essential health services and medicines, such as setting up an “Ebola treatment centre,” administering “monoclonal antibody therapy Mab114,” and rolling out “vaccination efforts” for those at risk.
• Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The article details the international response to a national health risk, where the WHO is “supporting the government’s response, delivering more than 14 tons of essential medical equipment and supplies and deploying 48 experts.” This is a direct example of strengthening a country’s capacity to manage a health emergency.

Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…” The article describes a clear partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of the DRC. The WHO provides expertise (“48 experts”), supplies (“14 tons of essential medical equipment”), and supports the overall response, illustrating a global partnership in action to address a critical health issue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

• For Target 3.3 (End epidemics):
  • Incidence of disease: The article states there are “48 confirmed and probable cases,” which serves as a direct indicator of the scale of the outbreak.
  • Mortality from disease: The report that “31 people have died” is a key indicator of the epidemic’s severity and the effectiveness of the response in preventing deaths.
  • Contact tracing effectiveness: The mention that “more than 900 contacts have been identified” and are being followed up is an indicator of public health surveillance efforts to contain the spread.
• For Target 3.8 (Universal health coverage):
  • Access to treatment: The fact that “14 patients have received the drug” (Mab114) is an indicator of access to essential medicines.
  • Vaccination coverage: The statement that “vaccination efforts are under way for contacts, possible contacts, and front-line workers” implies an indicator related to the proportion of the at-risk population receiving vaccines.
  • Patient recovery rate: The detail that “the first two patients to recover were discharged” is an indicator of the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare services provided.
• For Target 3.d (Capacity for health risk management):
  • Availability of medical supplies: The delivery of “more than 14 tons of essential medical equipment and supplies” is a tangible indicator of the resources mobilized for the health response.
  • Deployment of health experts: The deployment of “48 experts” by the WHO is an indicator of the technical capacity being brought in to manage the crisis.
  • Availability of treatment infrastructure: The establishment of an “Ebola treatment centre with 18 beds” is a direct measure of the infrastructure capacity put in place to handle the outbreak.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: aljazeera.com