Western Area DHMT receives Africell’s 3, 750 kg rice donation
Africell on Friday 12th September, 2014 delivered the second consignment of 20,000 kilograms of rice to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in support of Government’s efforts in the fight against the Ebola epidemic and on Tuesday 16th September, 2014 presented 3,750 Kg (150 bags) of rice to the Western Area District Health Management Team (DHMT) at Cline Town for quarantined and epicenters in the Western Area.
Africell’s Media Relations Supervisor, Tommy Terry Coker recalled 21st August, 2014 when the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Gerjawi announced that as a further contribution to the Ebola campaign, Africell is setting aside Le1:00 per minute that would be used to procure rice and other food items for epicenters.
Tommy Terry Coker also revealed that the company fulfilled its promise with the presentation of the first consignment of 22,500 kilograms of rice to officials of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation on Friday 29th August, 2014 that was delivered in Kailahun, Kenema, Port Loko, Bombali and Tonkolili Districts to quarantine and epicenter communities.
He assured that the company would make such donations every two weeks citing other donations to epicenters and quarantined communities in Freetown, Makeni, Bo, Kailahun, Kenema, Lunsar and Moyamba.
He further disclosed that the presentation of the rice was a continuation of the company’s ongoing support to the Government and people of Sierra Leone to alleviate the plight of victims.
He enlightened, “in partnership with Africa Independent Radio (AIR), the company is disseminating vital information to the public nationwide on the preventive measures of the disease in its flagship weekday program ‘Join Hand for Dreb Ebola’ in partnership with the Center for Disease Control, BBC Media Action and the Emergency Operations Centre which has been highly rated for its informative and empowering approach to sensitize the people about the virus.”
He quoted President Ernest Bai Koroma’s speech delivered on 30th August, 2014, “extraordinary challenges, demand extraordinary measures” aimed at ensuring that the transmission chain is broken.
Tommy Terry Coker also urged all to strictly abide by the preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health to contain the outbreak that includes regular hand washing with soap; avoiding body contact with infected people, corpses and calling health workers on 117 to take suspected cases to the hospital.
He further informed that people have commended the radio sensitization program for being informative and assured Government and the people of the company’s unflinching support at all times and that it would continue to host the 117 Toll Free Line to help the public access information on how to prevent the disease.
He articulated that all GSM operators providing the Toll Free Line service are connected to Africell network intimating that the company is also offering technical support to the relevant agencies for contact tracing emphasizing, “by providing communication, awareness, information, funding and feeding, Africell is contributing immensely to contain the spread of the disease” and assured the company’s continuous support to end the outbreak.
The Western Area District Medical Officer, Rev. Dr. Thomas Samba, acclaimed Africell for its sincere commitment to eliminate Ebola and for the company’s humanitarian gesture.
The DMO further maintained that the highly-appreciated gesture would go a long way to contain the pandemic emphasizing that the rice would be distributed to quarantine and epicenter communities. Presentation of the rice to the DHMT and DMO climaxed the ceremony.
By Abdul R. Bedor Kamara
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