Ebola is real and it kills …says CSO boss
In a bid to complement government’s effort in fighting the deadly Ebola virus, Health Network Sierra Leone, a proactive Civil Society Organization advocating on health and human rights issues, has engaged residents of Waterloo and its environs on a sensitization campaign to prevent the deadly Ebola virus.
The sensitization campaign attracted youth’s organizations, councilors, village headmen, bike-riders, petty traders, health workers and the media at the Waterloo Community Centre past Thursday 7th August 2014.
The Director Health Network Sierra Leone Mr. Robert Kondema Kargbo (in photo), noted that his organization is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) to raise awareness on the deadly Ebola virus which is disastrous not only to our country but the Sub-region in general.
He added that Ebola is real and it kills, noting that every citizen must take preventive measures to avert the Ebola and other diseases that have the potential to damage human development.
He disclosed that his organization is targeting five districts namely Kambia, Pujehun, Bombali, Western urban and rural.
He maintained that the Waterloo Community has grown in size and therefore needs a massive and effective sensitization campaign on the Ebola virus. He continued that Waterloo is a strategic entry point into the capital of Freetown and must be sensitized.
He admonished the audience to refer suspected cases of Ebola to the hospital as early detection has the tendency of survival for the patient.
Mr. Charles Ngombu a representative of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation noted that Ebola is a very dangerous disease that needs serious preventive measures and that proper sensitization must be put in place to avoid the spreading of the virus.
He advised participants to wash their hands with water and soap on a daily basis, avoid handshake and body contact so as not to contract the disease. He told the gathering that it is our culture in Sierra Leone to shake hands but because the disease transfer through body contact it is very important to avoid it for now to limit the spread of the disease. He disclosed that the MOHS is fighting against the spread of the disease which has killed countless citizens, adding that pastors and Imams have a very important role to play because they command huge following in their mosques and churches which he said the Ebola messages must reach them that Ebola is transferred through contact. In his marathon presentation on the Ebola outbreak, he captured the Zaire experience where the Ebola started in 1976, noting that they went through negative ordeals which are nothing to write home about. He warned participants not to underestimate the Ebola virus as it is in our doorsteps and that we must be vigilant and report cases of Ebola to the appropriate authority.
Mr. Ibrahim Kamara Director of Direct Response Development Organization and a member of the board of trustees, Health Network told residents of Waterloo to be vigilant for the signs and symptoms of this disastrous epidemic that is the first enemy to progress, he added that the denial rate of the virus is decreasing as most people now believe that Ebola is real. He called on relevant institutions to join the fight to eradicate this disease from our beloved country.
Distribution of megaphones and CDs on Ebola messages to various communities formed the highlight of the ceremony.
By: Mohamed Bangura
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