ESierra Leone Action
Freetown
Sierra Leone
www.saloneaction.com
Media contact:
Aderonke Bademosi Wilson
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 441 333 0200
Donated Plasma Devices and Supplies Arrive
in Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 14, 2014 – Sierra Leone Action (SLA), an
organization comprising a global team of Sierra Leonean physicians and other
professionals, today announced that the nine Fenwal Autopheresis-C® instruments
and all required related supplies which were donated by Fresenius Kabi in
November 2014 have arrived in Freetown.
Making the announcement was Mr. Trevor Young, a Sierra Leonean resident in the
United States, a founding member of Sierra Leone Action, and one of two trainers
who have arrived in Sierra Leone to begin training staff on the use of the machinery.
Mr. Trevor Young stated, “I am pleased to inform the public that the nine Fenwal
Autopheresis-C® plasma machines and supplies have arrived safely in Freetown.
They are currently located in the Central Medical Stores of the Ministry of Health
and Sanitation.
“We are grateful to the Government of Sierra Leone for their engagement, patience,
and support, specifically the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo, and his team.
“The donated machines and supplies will allow medical professionals to conduct a
Convalescent Serum Therapy (CST) study and enable plasma treatment for the
Ebola Virus Disease. The study and treatment involves taking Ebola survivors’
blood and separating the plasma that contains Ebola antibodies. The blood is
returned to the donor and the plasma collected and later transfused into an Ebola
patient.”
Mr. Young added, “Sierra Leone Action was formed in August upon heeding the
clarion call from His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, for Sierra Leoneans
throughout the diaspora to help eliminate Ebola in the country of our birth and
origin.
“To address this, a study protocol has emerged to ensure that CST is introduced into
Sierra Leone under stringent international guidelines. Based upon the feedback we
have received from the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, the Ethics Panel and the
Ebola Convalescent Products Technical Group, we are confident we are moving
forward.”
Trevor Young concluded, “Next we will work with the Ministry of Health and
Sanitation and the head of the Medical Stores to conduct an inventory of the donated
equipment and supplies (which are currently being stored in the Medical Stores) as
we actively seek approval to begin setting up the machinery, conduct testing and
then start training.
“Dr. Kargbo has set up a subcommittee in coordination with public advocacy group,
WeCare SL, to help fast track the implementation of CST. We are extremely
appreciative of the expressed support shown by WeCare SL. We look forward to
working closely with them and the Government of Sierra Leone to implement the
study and treatment, as a Sierra Leonean initiative proudly led by Sierra Leoneans.”
### ENDS ###
Sierra Leone Action (SLA) is an organization comprising a global team of Sierra
Leonean physicians and other professionals who have developed a coordinated
approach to implement Convalescent Serum Therapy (CST) using international
guidelines and best practices in Sierra Leone. The organization was formed in
August 2014.
The mission of SLA is to leverage Sierra Leonean expertise to design and implement
solutions that improve the outcomes for Ebola victims while preventing future
epidemics.
For more information about Sierra Leone Action and CST visit:
Sierra Leone Action Medical Team
Dr. S. Ahmed Tejan-Sie, MD; North Carolina, USA – Principal investigator
Dr. Ernest Kamara, MD; Georgia, USA
Dr J. Bankole Thompson, MD; PhD; Michigan USA
Collaborating Clinical Physicians
Dr. Slyvester Nicol, The Davidson Nicol Medical Center, Sierra Leone
Collaborating Research Physicians
Dr. Foday Sahr, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences,University of Sierra Leone
Dr. V.R. Willoughby, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone
Dr. Sahr Gevao, Consultant Haematologist, Government of Sierra Leone
SLA Members
Mrs. Brenda Johnson-Williams
Hon. Isata Kabia, MP
Dr. Ernest Kamara, MD
Ms. Ngadi Kamara
Ms. Pat Mejabi
Dr. Sylvester Nicol, MD
Dr. Jaisie Stevens, PhD
Dr. Ahmed Tejan-Sie, MD
Dr J. Bankole Thompson, MD, PhD
Mr. Trevor Young
Technical Advisor (Engineering)
Mr. Vidal Smith
Accountant
A. K. Mahdi CPA Accounting Services
Public Relations Advisor
Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, PMP
The Stratford Group
Contributors
Dr. Francis Dove-Edwin, PhD
Dr. Elena Gutiérrez, MD
Ms. Natu Kamara
Mrs. Sibyl Harleston
Ms. Valerie Young
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