KINSHASA, DRC- China has deployed a third team of medical experts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reinforcing its support for the country’s efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak through enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, patient care and capacity building.
The latest five-member medical mission arrived in Kinshasa over the weekend and was received by officials from the DRC Ministry of Health, who described the deployment as a timely boost to the country’s disease response capacity as it continues to battle one of its recurring Ebola outbreaks.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Luku Maleyo Marius said the Ebola situation continues to place significant pressure on the country’s public health system, underscoring the need for sustained international cooperation.
“The arrival of the Chinese experts will provide strong support for epidemic surveillance, patient treatment, and laboratory testing,” Marius said.
He added that the DRC hopes to deepen cooperation with China to strengthen the country’s epidemic preparedness and response capabilities.
The new team is led by Yang Xiaochen, who said the experts will build on the work undertaken by two previous Chinese medical missions while adapting their support to the evolving needs of the outbreak.
“We will continue providing technical assistance in line with practical response needs and deepen exchanges and cooperation with the DRC’s health authorities and relevant international partners,” Yang said.
“We hope to contribute Chinese expertise to bringing the current Ebola outbreak to an early end,” he added.
The latest deployment marks the third phase of China’s medical assistance since the DRC confirmed its latest Ebola outbreak in May.
The first Chinese expert team arrived in Kinshasa in early June for a three-month assignment after the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976. The mission, led by Lu Ming, worked closely with Congolese health authorities and disease control agencies to support epidemic assessment, case management, disease surveillance and response planning.
The team also shared China’s experience in epidemic prevention and control while assisting local authorities in strengthening response systems.
Congolese officials at the time described China’s rapid deployment as a critical contribution to improving prevention, treatment and disease control capacity.
A month later, China dispatched a second medical team led by Gu Zhiqiang to sustain the response as the outbreak remained complex.
That mission expanded cooperation in epidemiological investigations, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, clinical case management and the training of local healthcare workers.
According to the DRC Ministry of Health, the long-standing partnership between Kinshasa and Beijing has played an important role in strengthening the country’s public health system through technical cooperation and knowledge transfer.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has also acknowledged China’s contribution to the Ebola response, thanking Beijing and other international partners for supporting national containment efforts.
He emphasised that international cooperation remains indispensable in combating infectious diseases, noting that epidemics transcend national borders and require coordinated global action.
China’s latest deployment comes as African countries continue to strengthen disease surveillance systems and emergency preparedness following successive outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases across the continent.
Health officials say the third Chinese medical mission is expected to further reinforce the DRC’s response through specialised expertise, operational support and closer collaboration with national authorities and international health partners as efforts continue to contain the outbreak.
