Liberia News

Around 150 local construction workers have been working 3 shifts a day to build an Ebola treatment centre at the former Ministry of Defence compound on the outskirts of Monrovia.

The 6 large tents, that can house 50 patients each, are now in place and the centre is set to open at the end of October. This will add at least 200 additional beds for Ebola patients in Liberia.

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Only people who have been sick with Ebola virus disease and recovered from this traumatic experience can explain what it was like and what their needs were during the illness. That is why a group of 6 Ebola survivors were asked to play a critical role in a new training programme for health workers on Ebola care, which was established by WHO in consultation with the Ministry of Health and with support from USAID.

At the Island Clinic in Monrovia, Liberia the discharge of a patient who has recovered from Ebola virus disease inspires joy among all the health workers at the facility. Every life saved is another boost to morale.

“As we see fewer people dying, the health workers are becoming more confident about their work,” says Dr Atai Omoruto, a Ugandan doctor deployed to Liberia by WHO and is serving as officer in charge at the clinic.

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Pupils of Deaf and Dumb School showing sign of ‘I love you’ to Professor Davidson Munodawafa following a talk on keeping Ebola out of the community
 

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Prof.  Davison Munodawafa demonstrating hand-washing at the Deaf and Dumb School in Virginia, Montserrado
 

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A young girl displaying the sign language of ‘l love you’, the others are looking at the interpreter on the other side
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Training of gCHVs in Rural Montserrado
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Chatting with other colleagues during lunch break

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The Government of Liberia has signed its first three groundbreaki ng contract agreements with key implementing partners for the US$52m Ebola Emergency Response operation that is intended to accelerate Liberia’s response to the Ebola epidemic across the country

Last week saw a welcome boost to numbers of treatment places available to people with Ebola in Monrovia, Liberia. The Island Clinic, a private clinic refurbished as an Ebola Treatment Unit by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from WHO and other partners, opened its doors on Sunday 21 September, adding another desperately needed 120 Ebola treatment beds to the 240 available in Monrovia.

1. View of the Island Hospital
2. Dr. Francis Kateh reading official order of programme leading to the opening of Island Hospital
3. Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, Chief Medical Officer/RL making remarks at opening of Island Hospita
4. Hon. Morris Dukuly, Minister of Internal Affairs making remarks at opening of Island Hospital
5. Hon. Amara Konneh, Minister of Finance making remarks at opening of Island Hospital
6. Rep. Edward Ford, District #6 Representative, making remarks at opening of Island Hospital
7. Hon. Dr.

1. Doctors and nurses are the people who immediately come to mind as critical to controlling the Ebola outbreak in west Africa. But there are many others whose jobs are no less critical: engineers, architects, plumbers and construction workers.

“Excuse me, Sir, I need to take your temperature.”

These words are often overheard these days at the international airport of Monrovia, where a group of doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Health of Liberia screen passengers arriving and leaving the country for Ebola.

Coordinated response bringing more resources and access to care