SCDP & DRC Biocontainment Unit Partnership

SCDP traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss development of a biocontainment unit with the Ministry of Health

Emory University is committed to being a leading contributor in the field of public health, and the Serious Communicable Disease (SCDP) team plays a vital role in this mission. Their efforts reinforce Emory's dedication to improving health outcomes and advancing public health knowledge and policies. November 3-7, a team from the SCDP team traveled to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo to lay foundations with the Ministry of Health to mutually combat emerging infections. While there they toured the Renaissance University Hospital Center, discussed clinical needs (including the development of a biocontainment unit), and identified various educational opportunities. Additionally, they visited the Mpox Emergency Operations Center, Kinshasa University Hospital, the National Institute for Biomedical Research, and an Mpox clinical treatment center.

During high-level governmental meetings in Kinshasa with the Ministry of Health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in-country director, The Director-General of the National Public Health Institute and the World Bank, the SCDP team collaborated closely to understand the unique challenges and needs of the Ministry of Health and offered advice and feedback on establishing a new biocontainment unit at the largest teaching hospital. They also assisted with enhancing clinical care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases and discussed potential areas for collaboration in training and education initiatives aligned with the Ministry of Health's requirements for in-country capabilities.

 The SCDP team laid the groundwork for a long-term partnership with the Ministry of Health in the DRC in several specific areas:

1. To assist with architectural, engineering, and logistical challenges associated with the construction of a new biocontainment unit.
2. To provide guidance and support in training and education areas for the clinical teams that will be staffing the unit
3. To assist with strategic approaches to making the unit a sustainable venture
4. To strategize about education and outreach throughout the country in the areas regarding public health surveillance, community healthcare worker support, the potential for advanced technologies to assist in emerging infectious diseases mitigation

 Key Takeaways:

• Emory and the SCDP have unique subject matter experts with specific expertise, experiences and are driven to supporting underserved populations to improve health security and thus planetary security. These assets and goals are shared by the DRC.
• A mutually beneficial relationship to assist the DRC will improve the world’s ability to detect outbreaks quicker, control their effects, enable local communities to take ownership and build trust to create a sustainable, effective healthcare workforce, thus improving healthcare capabilities in this region.