Health Ministry and Partners Poised to Contain the Ebola Disease
Freetown, May 26, 014 (SLENA) – Health and Sanitation Minister, Miatta Kargbo has called on members of the Ebola National Task Force and donor partners to intensify efforts in the fight against the spread of the disease now that there is an outbreak in the country.
Addressing her audience in the ministry’s conference hall in Freetown, Madam Miatta Kargbo noted the efforts of partners during the emergency preparedness stage, adding that now that there is a confirmed case of one death in the Kailalun district at Koindu Town Kissi Teng Chiefdom more actions are needed to contain the disease.
Effective response plan, sensitization, health education and intensified surveillance system should continue to serve as a big challenge noting threat from neighboring Guinea and Liberia.
Information and Communications Minister, Alhaji Alpha Kanu commended the Health Ministry for being on top of the situation at the initial stage in fighting what he referred to as a deadly disease.
He lauded the donors for their continued support and advocated for more assistance in combating the disease.
The Information Minister reiterated the need for health promotion and hygiene in communities and reiterated government’s continued commitment in providing quality health care delivery services to its citizens.
Giving his update, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo said one case of Ebola was confirmed as of the midnight of May 26, 2014. Six others cases were admitted for diarrhea and vomiting at the Koindu Community Health Centre are responding to treatment.
The Director of Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Amara Jambai said the confirmed case was jointly tested by the Ministry and the U S A Research Firm Metabiota in the Kenema Laboratory. He maintained that active case search is ongoing as most of the victims were women from Sierra Leone who attended a funeral service of an Ebola victim in Guinea.
Dr. Jambai told the meeting that personal protective equipment and clothing and other medical supplies have been distributed to the district for health workers and, tracing exercise also being intensified.
He reminded partners to always contact the Ministry for the collection and dissemination of data, emphasizing that the ownership of data is squarely vested with the Ministry. Dr. Jambai encouraged all partners to make the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control their main source for data collection and dissemination on Ebola.
The World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr. Jacob Mufunda, the UNICEF Country Representative, Roland Monach, and the Executive Director of Health For All Coalition, Mr. Charles Mambu also made significant contributions during the deliberation.
JAK/KK/MOHS/SLENA
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