Limited supplies hamper efforts to contain Ebola

BWERA, Uganda — The isolation ward for Ebola patients is a tent erected in the garden of the local hospital. Gloves are given out sparingly to health workers. And when the second person in this Uganda border town died after the virus outbreak spread from neighboring Congo, the hospital for several hours couldn’t find a vehicle to take away the body.

“We don’t really have an isolation ward,” said the Bwera Hospital’s administrator, Pedson Buthalha. “It’s just a tent. To be honest, we can’t accommodate more than five people.”

Medical workers leading Uganda’s effort against Ebola lament what they call limited support in the days since infected members of a Congolese-Ugandan family showed up, one vomiting blood. Three have since died.

While Ugandan authorities praise the health workers as “heroes” and say they are prepared to contain the virus, some workers disagree, wondering where the millions of dollars spent on preparing for Ebola have gone if a hospital on the front line lacks basic supplies.

The World Health Organization on Friday said the Ebola outbreak is an “extraordinary event” of deep concern but does not yet merit being declared a global emergency. WHO said $54 million is needed to stop the outbreak.

More than 1,400 people have died since this outbreak was declared in August in eastern Congo, one of the world’s most turbulent regions, where rebel attacks and community resistance have hurt Ebola response work.

While Ugandan health workers aren’t facing the violent attacks that have killed several Ebola responders in Congo, they remain at risk as they seek to isolate, test and treat for the virus. Basic equipment such as gloves is essential.

Ugandan Health Minister Jane Aceng said Saturday that district officials in Kasese were to blame for limited medical supplies after delays in submitting their budget.

Rodney Muhumuza is an Associated Press writer.

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP / Getty Images Tarps cover the roof of Notre Dame on Wednesday during repairs to the church, which was severely damaged by an April 15 fire.

Ronald Kabuubi / Associated Press People entering Uganda from neighboring Congo wash their hands with chlorinated water to help prevent the spread of Ebola infection at the Mpondwe border crossing facility.