International telecommunications provider, Starlink, has delivered 150 kits to aid reliable, high-speed connectivity in support of the ongoing Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The kits delivered to the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be deployed in Ituri Province, where response teams are working to stop the Ebola outbreak through strengthened surveillance, testing, treatment, case reporting, and coordinated field operations, while supporting frontline health workers responding to the crisis.
“In response to the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Starlink team has provided 150 kits to Africa CDC, enabling reliable connectivity for frontline health workers working in affected areas,” Starlink said in a post on X.
Confirming the delivery, Africa CDC said the move followed discussions between the centre and Starlink on how the tech company’s broadband connectivity can support public health emergency response efforts in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
The Centre stressed that reliable connectivity plays a critical role during disease outbreaks.
“Outbreak control depends on speed, coordination and information. Every day, frontline teams make critical decisions that rely on timely data and communication. Reliable connectivity helps health workers report cases more quickly, coordinate response activities more effectively and access the technical support they need. This contribution strengthens our ability to support affected countries and protect lives,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa CDC.
The kits will help bring high-speed, low-latency connectivity where previously heavy equipment was required and was an intense project that could take years.
“With Starlink, everything you need is in a small box that will fit in a backpack. Without the bounds of traditional ground infrastructure, Starlink can be deployed in a matter of minutes. Starlink kits are designed to let users come online within minutes of unboxing, without expert assistance. Open the box, and you have a mount, a Wi-Fi router, and power cords. Put it in a place with a clear view of the sky,” the centre said.
The kits will support real-time transmission of surveillance data and contact monitoring, improve communication between health facilities and emergency operations centres, and strengthen coordination of logistics and supply chains.
The Starlink connectivity will also support training and information-sharing among frontline responders working in affected areas.
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