The response to the Ebola virus disease in the eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo

This study "Humanizing the design of the Ebola response in DRC: anthropological research on humane designs of Ebola treatment and care to build trust for better health" examined how humane designs of treatment and care at Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs) influence the formation of trust into the response to the EVD epidemic in DRC. The research aimed to develop user-friendly recommendations for “Operationalising, Optimising and Humanising treatment and care for EVD” to provide hands-on recommendations to build trust.On the basis of the results of this study, the following recommendations were made:

• Ebola was just one of the emergencies in northeastern DRC
• Community engagement must be the cornerstone of any response, otherwise mistrust, anger, protest and violent conflict can undermine the response
• Care should be decentralised
• Respect for patients is fundamental.