Afya is mobilizing emergency medical supplies and protective equipment to support frontline healthcare workers responding to the growing Ebola outbreak affecting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As of May 20, 2026, more than 500 suspected cases and 130 deaths have been reported across the region, with health officials warning that the true scale of the outbreak may be significantly higher. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or proven therapeutic treatment. In the absence of medical countermeasures, personal protective equipment (PPE) remains one of the only effective defenses protecting healthcare workers from infection.
Every day without adequate PPE puts more healthcare workers — and the communities they serve — at risk.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in humanitarian logistics and medical surplus recovery, Afya is activating its emergency response network to collect, prepare, and deploy critical PPE and infection prevention supplies from hospitals, manufacturers, and healthcare institutions across the United States. Supplies being mobilized include masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, and related protective materials intended to support healthcare facilities operating in high-risk environments.
Afya’s response will prioritize frontline healthcare facilities, including treatment centers, district hospitals, and rural clinics where patients often first seek care. Through established partnerships and vetted distribution networks, Afya will work closely with in-country responders to assess evolving needs and direct support where it can save the most lives.
Healthcare workers are among the most vulnerable during Ebola outbreaks, facing infection risks many times higher than the general population. When frontline staff become ill or healthcare facilities lose capacity, the consequences extend far beyond Ebola itself. Communities lose access to maternity care, pediatric services, emergency medicine, and routine healthcare. Fear spreads. Treatment is delayed. Healthcare systems already under strain move closer to collapse.
Protecting healthcare workers protects entire communities.
Afya has extensive experience supporting emergency health responses globally, including during the West Africa Ebola epidemic, natural disasters, humanitarian displacement crises, and public health emergencies. Our model transforms surplus medical supplies from New York hospitals and healthcare systems into lifesaving resources for under-resourced communities around the world.
As the situation continues to evolve, Afya remains committed to a flexible, rapid-response approach that can adapt to changing conditions while ensuring frontline healthcare workers have access to the protective equipment they urgently need.
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