“The Ebola emergency what good will it bring?”

While we embark on the emergency to fight the Ebola virus, there are a few things that are worth considering. I am sure all security measures are in place for a peaceful movement of our citizenry. Our forces must at all times remember that they are always our first line of defense in protecting our nation. We pray for the continued peaceful state of our country. The international community will do their best in fighting the mysterious bug and teaching us new things to follow.

During our diaspora religious conference prayer call initiated by Mr. Wai, a lot was discussed by Sierra Leoneans of how to help in eradicating the virus. Among the suggestions this was what I think we need to have fever hospitals in every major town in Sierra Leone to isolate patients with fever. Freetown has the Lakka hospital, and the epicenter in Kenema and Kailahun hospitals have long been established. There is no need to transport one Ebola case or cases across the country to Kenema, this will only increase to the mortality rate. In these fever hospitals, our government should rapidly deploy house laboratories for quick diagnoses of the Ebola and other fever causing agents.

A rapid training and orientation given to both volunteers and paramedics in handling cases of fever including Ebola.

The ensuing differential diagnosis would enable to further isolate Malaria, Lassa fever, Yellow fever, and Ebola. This would help the medical staff and patients for good outcomes.

As we can see the developed world is far ahead in management of Ebola. Established facilities are already in place with better preparedness which we lack. Ebola has been around it will eventually go away from our midst, but while we wait for that moment we have to improvise methods within our reach. The medical staff in Sierra Leone are ill-equipped and this is the innocent group that is more vulnerable in contracting and spreading the Ebola known as nosocomial spread. We have to protect this innocent staff by emergency assistance.

Here is what a group of my folks from the Lunsar advocacy did. Knowing that it is an emergency situation this group rapidly acted and sent some Latex gloves, masks, gowns and some cash for purchase of disinfectants to our health center. This was done to prepare and protect our medical compatriots in Lunsar. Guess what? News has just reached us that Ebola has claimed one or more victims in Lunsar. Definitely the emergency supply would not only limit the spread, but protect our medical folks.

I understand Kabala is unaffected because measures were put in place before entering Kabala passengers are made to disinfect their feet and hands. We should come together and act immediately within our communities. We can wait for government’s help, but also emergency measures taken by citizens would help a great deal.

Another good thing the Emergency might also bring is good planning in eradicating the filth around Freetown. Perhaps the cleaning company Massada or whichever is contracted will have the opportunity to put in place proper sustainable measures in keeping our cities clean.

The emergency will also allow rapid road construction to be completed and ease traffic congestion.

Our water pipes would be repaired to convey good drinking water.

Let us all join hands in the fight against Ebola with cleanliness and honesty.

Augustine Kamara

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