Marthe Apuwa Mbila is a single mother of two children living in Lusengo, a remote area of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Marthe was diagnosed with Ebola during the country’s 11th outbreak of the disease in 2020. 
She received treatment at a local hospital and made a full recovery. 

Once she was well again, Marthe was eager to assist others affected by the disease. She took on a position helping to care for children at a local Ebola treatment centre.

“My advice to people who have symptoms of this disease is that they should have no fear of going directly to the hospital because patients are given appropriate care without paying,” she says.

Marthe was the last patient to be discharged during the 11th Ebola outbreak and subsequently received psychological support.

With help from World Health Organization and partners, the outbreak was declared over in November 2020.

With many thanks to Marthe for sharing her story.