Monrovia, 22 July 2014 - The World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa Dr Luis Sambo began official visits to the three West African Countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. On the first leg of the visit, the Regional Director arrived in Liberia on Monday 21 July 2014 to review current outbreak response and challenges, and explore the best ways to rapidly contain the EVD outbreak in West Africa. 

The Regional Director held official meetings with the President of Liberia H.E. Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the Minister of Health Dr Gwenigale and other high ranking Government officials. The President and the Regional Director also participated in the Ebola national coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health. 

Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf President of Liberia, called all sectors of government and country to get involved in the response to contain Ebola. “There’s no time for denial. This is serious and real”, she said.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Sambo stressed the need to step up implementation of key outbreak containment strategies, including community engagement and involvement, effective contact tracing, cross-border collaboration and effective coordination. He said: “The situation is quite serious and it should be addressed as an emergency”. 

The Regional Director underscored the need to strengthen social mobilization activities to raise awareness on Ebola within the communities, as well as to enhance the protection of health workers, and to work with cross border collaboration. He reiterated WHO’s commitment to continue to work with the Government of Liberia and partners to mobilize adequate resources to address the Ebola epidemic.

In Liberia, the Minister of Health Dr Walter Gwenigale pointed out the challenges they are facing in the response. The need for more support to contain the outbreak in the country, especially in counties that have not yet been affected was highlighted.  The WHO Regional Director commended the health authorities for their efforts to control the outbreak. “I believe it is possible to stop the transmission and reduce the number of cases, but we still have a lot to do”, he added.

The Regional Director later held discussions with the international and local non-governmental organizations, UN Agencies and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and effective coordination. He called upon all the partners to be fully involved in the EVD outbreak response and announced that a Sub-Regional Control Center in Guinea has been set up as a coordinating platform to consolidate and harmonize the technical support to West African countries by all major partners. 

The Regional Director and the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General, Karen Landgren, also held a meeting to analyze the situation and the response to the outbreak. 

The first wave of Ebola epidemic in Liberia occurred on 30 March 2014. The country is currently facing a second wave of cases since May 2014. WHO continues to provide support to the Ministry of Health and Social welfare in Liberia in the areas of coordination, treatment of patients; surveillance and advocacy for human, logistical and financial resources.
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