Ebola survivors comfort sick children in Congo’s isolation wards
Ebola survivor Jerkis Mahamba is providing emotional support and care to children in isolation wards in Butembo, Congo. His immunity allows him to provide physical comfort to young patients who are otherwise separated from their families during the outbreak.
Why it matters
This highlights the human element of the ongoing Ebola crisis in the DRC and the vital role survivors play in patient care.
BUTEMBO, Congo: Whenever Jerkis Mahamba hears a child cry out in the Ebola ward in Butembo, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, he puts on protective gear and rushes to their side. He has a very good idea of what they are going through.
Mahamba caught the highly infectious disease himself in September and recovered after 18 days of treatment at the same center. His ordeal gave him immunity from the strain of the virus coursing through Congo, meaning he can work with young patients when their own parents aren’t allowed to touch them.
Sometimes the children need a hug. Sometimes they want to be rocked back to sleep. Sometimes they want to talk.
Congo has recorded over 10,000 Ebola infections since the outbreak was declared in May, and over 5,100 deaths, making it the second-largest on record.
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