Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – African health leaders have warned that delays in containing the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda could increase response costs to as much as $1.5 billion, despite fresh funding commitments of $910 million secured during an emergency African Union summit.
The warning emerged during a high-level emergency meeting convened on 17 June by Évariste Ndayishimiye, bringing together African leaders, health agencies, donors and development partners to coordinate the continent’s response to the outbreak.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, leaders agreed to mobilise and disburse the $518 million required for the Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan within four weeks to prevent the outbreak from escalating.
Africa CDC said the outbreak continues to place severe pressure on affected communities and healthcare systems, with challenges including contact tracing, treatment capacity, health worker protection, safe burials and access to insecure areas.
Officials warned that any delay in intervention could dramatically increase both the human and economic consequences of the outbreak.
“Our people will not judge us by our declarations, but by our ability to interrupt transmission, protect health workers, restore community trust, and guarantee dignified care for affected families,” Ndayishimiye said.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for stronger regional cooperation.
“The Ebola outbreak is a stark reminder that health security is a shared continental responsibility requiring urgent, coordinated and sustained action. We must strengthen national and regional response plans, enhance cross-border coordination, and scale up preparedness, surveillance and containment measures to prevent further transmission,” he said.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya welcomed the $80 million pledged by African countries.
“African countries have stepped forward with USD 80 million in commitments. This matters. It shows that Africa is taking responsibility for its own health security while calling on partners to align behind one plan, one budget and one team,” he said.
“The priority now is speed. Every pledge must translate into financing, supplies, people and support reaching the communities and responders on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed support for the Africa CDC-led response and stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration.
“Under the leadership of DRC’s government and neighbouring nations, and with sustained regional and international support, we can defeat this Ebola outbreak, as we have with previous outbreaks,” he said.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Korede Abdullah 