Iqarus Deploys Specialist Medical Team to Support Ebola Response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Iqarus has deployed a specialist 19-person medical and operational team to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in response to an urgent requirement to establish and operate a dedicated quarantine, isolation and holding capability in support of the response to Ebola.

The deployment provides a rapidly established environment for the safe assessment and holding of individuals suspected of Ebola virus disease, supporting effective infection prevention and control while helping protect patients, healthcare personnel and the wider community.

Rapidly Deployable Specialist Medical Capability

The Iqarus team is operating a dedicated facility capable of receiving and managing individuals requiring quarantine or isolation while their clinical status is assessed. Where Ebola is confirmed or remains clinically suspected, patients are safely cared for and held pending coordinated onward movement to designated definitive treatment facilities.

The 19-person multidisciplinary team brings together medical, nursing, infection prevention and control, operational and support expertise. This integrated capability enables the safe operation and sustainment of the facility and its clinical functions.

The deployment is operating under stringent infection prevention and control principles. These include controlled patient and staff flows, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, clinical surveillance, decontamination procedures, waste management and protocols for the safe movement of patients.

Supporting Healthcare Delivery in Complex Environments

The deployment demonstrates Iqarus’ ability to rapidly mobilise specialist personnel and establish healthcare capability in complex operating environments, combining clinical expertise, infection prevention and control, operational planning and medical coordination.

“Responding effectively to an infectious disease threat requires much more than deploying clinical personnel. It requires robust infection prevention and control, carefully planned patient pathways and the operational capability to establish and sustain safe healthcare delivery in challenging environments. Our team brings together the specialist clinical and operational expertise required to provide that capability,” said Professor Mansoor Khan, Regional Medical Director at Iqarus.

The deployment reflects Iqarus’ experience delivering healthcare in conflict, post conflict, humanitarian and other complex operating environments, supporting governments and international organisations with specialist medical capability where it is needed most.