“Since we recorded the Ebola case, we have never left the hospital.”

With these words, Serge Bwenge, nurse and leader of the Ebola response team at HEAL Africa hospital, summarizes almost three weeks of intense mobilization that followed the confirmation of the only Ebola case recently recorded in Goma. On June 3, this collective effort culminated in a hopeful outcome: the patient who had been receiving care at HEAL Africa’s Ebola Treatment Center was declared recovered and discharged to return home to her family. Her discharge was marked by a ceremony attended by health stakeholders from both local and international levels.

A recovery that brings hope

During the ceremony, the recovered patient expressed her gratitude to the teams that supported her throughout her treatment.

“Grateful to everyone who was involved, I would especially like to thank the team that was on the front line of my treatment,” she said emotionally.

Her testimony reminds us of an important reality: Ebola is not an incurable disease when it is diagnosed early and patients receive appropriate medical care. Physicians, nurses, psychologists, hygiene personnel, and other frontline workers collaborated closely to ensure the patient’s safety and recovery. The patient’s cooperation and adherence to medical advice also played a significant role in the positive outcome of her treatment.

Vigilance remains essential

During the discharge ceremony, HEAL Africa Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Barthélemy Kasi, emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.

“If you contract Ebola virus disease and come to the hospital at the first signs of illness, while following the guidance of doctors and nurses, you can recover from this disease,” he explained, while encouraging the population to remain vigilant.

The day after the ceremony, response teams carried out the decontamination of the Ebola Treatment Center established at HEAL Africa hospital, marking the end of the management of this first confirmed case in Goma.

As the city continues to face a resurgence of Ebola linked to the Bundibugyo strain, this recovery sends a powerful message to communities. It demonstrates that early diagnosis, trust in healthcare professionals, and collective action save lives. More than ever, adherence to preventive measures, early reporting of suspected cases, and timely access to healthcare services remain essential to preventing new infections and protecting communities.