Youth Coalition calls on US Government for more assistance to combat Ebola outbreak
Freetown, Aug. 8, 014 (MOHS) – The President of the National Youth Coalition, Mr. Morlai Conteh has called on the United States Government to expedite the Ebola Vaccine administered on two of its American citizens to Sierra Leone.
Speaking during a press briefing on the Ebola outbreak at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Harry Yansaneh Memorial Hall in Freetown, Mr. Conteh described the Ebola outbreak as a serious threat to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia that has claimed the lives of many people and appealed to the U.S Government to introduce the same vaccine in the sub region to fight the deadly disease.
He informed journalists that youths have been involved in the fight against the deadly disease through sensitization campaigns in the country, and dilated on the need for health workers to be strengthened as front liners for effective service delivery in the health facilities. As a Youth Coalition, Mr. Morlai Conteh said they appreciated the hard work of the great hero, the Late Virologist Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan in saving the lives of many people infected by the disease, and prayed that his work would not go in vain.
The Executive Director, Health For All Coalition, Mr. Charles Mambu advocated to government for the welfare of nurses and other health workers in high risk areas by paying two (2) months salaries to motivate and encourage them for effective service delivery.
He said since the outbreak of the disease, three brand new Ambulances estimated at $60,000 each were destroyed by youths in Kailahun, adding that two of their vehicles were also attacked by youths. He added that with funds from partners, they have been working with the Ministry of Health in the area of training, sensitization, contact tracing to track down people affected by the disease.
Mr. Charles Mambu commended President Koroma for visiting the two Epicentres of Kailahun and Kenema, and welcomed the stay at home initiative with prayers and sensitization to combat the disease in the country.
The Community Health Officer, Health Education Division, Alusine Kamara informed journalists that hand washing with soap and water is another effective method of prevention against the Ebola.
He said soap has caustic soda and some detergents which composition has the potential to kill germs, viruses and bacteria of any kind. He commended SLAJ for their good work in sensitizing the general public nationwide through the radio, television and newspapers.
Mr. Kamara informed the press that the Communication Committee in the Ministry has distributed educational materials such as posters, banners and jingles across the country to sensitize and educate the public about the dangers of the disease and the precautionary measures to be taken.
The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer and Chairman for the occasion, Jonathan Abass Kamara, disclosed that the Ministry is expecting 25 doctors from the United States of America and 26 doctors and nurses from the International Federation of the Red Cross through the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
He informed the press about the establishment and relocation of the new Isolation and treatment centres in Kenema by courtesy of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society with the capacity of 30 to 60 beds by the end of August. The new centre will serve as a unit for those who have already contacted the disease as well as testing facility for identification of new cases.
Jonathan Abass Kamara also re-echoed President Koroma’s clarion call to report all deaths before burial, get the sick to treatment centres and take all necessary precautionary measures as Ebola is real and deadly.
KK/MOHS
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