Médecins Sans Frontières - ENGLISH - Mobile Ebola Lab in Mongbwalu

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF371343

Date taken / Date Recorded 11/06/2026 1:29 PM

Country Democratic Republic of Congo

Commissioning section MSF-SWITZERLAND

Photographer / videographer / producer Anna SCHÖNHOFER

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Editor's rating ★★★ (F)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 2m2s

Maximum Size 1080px × 1920px 288.67 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist The first mobile Ebola disease lab arrives in Mongbwalu, the epicentre of the outbreak.

Diop Elhadji
MSF Project Coordinator, Mongbwalu, DRC

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When you have symptoms,

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you are immediately considered
a suspected case.

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It was very complicated
because samples had to be taken,

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and sent to Bunia,
which took a long time.

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Now that we have a laboratory
on site here in Mongbwalu,

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everything has
changed because

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we can get the results
within 24 hours.

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This is extremely important
for patients and their families,

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because they need
to know

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whether their brother, their sister,
their grandfather, their child

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is actually affected
by the disease.

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It also helps
medical staff:

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With the test,
they can decide

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whether to continue treatment
at the Ebola Treatment Center,

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or refer the patient to a hospital

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to explore other possible diagnoses
based on these symptoms.

MSF runs a 52-bed Ebola Treatment Centre within Mongbwalu Hospital.

Naoufel Dridi,
MSF logistic Coordinator

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When we arrive, we always rely
on three core principles:

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1. protecting hospital staff,

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those working in the facility,

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to prevent cross-contamination;

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2. protecting the population
by building a facility

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where patients can be
properly cared for,

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which today is the ETC
(Ebola Treatment Center);

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3. treating and supporting
the patients inside,

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by providing food and water,

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everything they need to feel
comfortable in the facility,

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in addition, of course,
to medical care.

A separate 65-bed treatment center is being built to allow the general hospital to continue providing other essential healthcare services.

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The current situation
is very complex,

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given the number of cases
we receive very late.

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The Ebola response is not limited
to hospitals alone:

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we also work
at community level,

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in facilities that are closer
to the community,

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namely health centers,

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to raise awareness
and provide training,

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and to set up
early triage systems,

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to avoid exposing
staff working there,

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and to ensure early referral
for better patient care.