The World Health Organisation has issued a stark warning that delays in the deployment of an Ebola vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could cost thousands of lives. A UK-led rapid response team is on standby, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. The warning comes as the virus spreads to a major urban centre, raising fears of an uncontrolled outbreak.
The WHO's director general has stated that every day of delay increases the risk of the disease spreading further. The UK team, comprising experts in epidemiology and logistics, is prepared to support local health workers. However, political instability and funding shortfalls have hampered the response.
For the people living in the affected regions, this is a matter of life and death. The cost of inaction is measured not in pounds but in human suffering. The UK government has pledged £10 million for vaccine procurement and logistical support. But critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the outbreak, such as poor healthcare infrastructure and conflict.
As the clock ticks, the question remains: will the world act fast enough to prevent a catastrophe?
