The Sierra Leone Embassy in The Gambia in collaboration with Rescue Sierra Leone (An emergency Respond Committee made up of Sierra Leoneans) over the weekend, held a one day prayer and sensitization seminar on the Ebola virus at the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI) at Kairaba Avenue.
THE HIGH TABLE
Seated at the high table where the Guest of Honor Mr. Dauda Sesay Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, together with His Excellency Amb Soulay Daramy and his wife Her Excellency Afiju Daramy, Deputy Amb Saidata Sesay,Dr. Ulric Jones and Doctors Momodu Gassama and Magnus Ochoge.
THE CROWD AT THE OCCASION
Chairperson for the occasion Haja Saidata Sesay said despite the fact that there is so much sensitization on the deadly Ebola virus going across the world but it can never be enough. “Thus” she noted is the reason why the Embassy under the leadership of Amb Soulay Daramy has decided to “take the bull by the horn and forward march”
AMBASSADOR DARAMY ( IN WHITE GOWN ) AND MRS. DARAMY
She called for a minute silent prayers for all those that have suffered and succumbed to death as a result of the virus worldwide. “As a nation, with the fear of Allah, we should not fear but rather be prayerfully brave and educate oneself on the causes, reality on the ground and its possible cure”. She encouraged.
Addressing the jammed parked hall, Amb Daramy said every person in the hall do have families back home, so it is imperative for all to be concerned and educated on the virus and the necessary steps government and the International community are taking to combat the virus. “There are mixed and inadequate information going around with regards the Ebola virus, as a result it’s time for massive education” he stressed.
According to the Head of Mission, what is happening in Sierra Leone and all other affected countries is the general responsibility of all and sundry irrespective of where ever you are and that none should be doubtful of the fact that EBOLA is real and deadly.
He called on all to pass back home all relevant information they may gather at the seminar to their families and friends back home.
Speaking on the fact of Ebola Dr Magnus Ochoge, a Nigerian who refers to himself as a fellow ECOWAS Citizen said Ebola is no child’s play at the park rather it is deadly and interferes with the blood causing vomiting and other reactions on the body. He added that the virus becomes active in three weeks and causes headache, stomach pain, sour throat and contagious with 60% chances of death. “As of now there is no approved treatment for the deadly virus but cheer up it can still be treated if detected early” he shared.
Dr Magnus Ochoge informed that Sierra Leone despite the number of confirmed cases the death rate is low and Sierra Leone has the best survival figure, which he referred to as very commendable, being the fact that Sierra Leone is strange to the virus. “There is no reason to panic. This clearly shows that Sierra Leone health system is copping and that those infected persons that are hiding are coming out and that there is an observed steady decline in the number of deaths in Sierra Leone” he noted. With regards protection, he recommended regular washing of the hands, keeping a clean environment and not to handle or eat bush meat and being watchful and careful.
Dr Ochoge assured that the current outbreak will be burnt out, as the virus is not airborne and that people are not contagious until they have the symptom.
Gambian Dr. Momodu Gassama who spent a week in Kailahun said the Ebola virus is deadly and that the government of The Gambia is concern and that in the case of an eventual outbreak in the Gambia, certain modalities had been put in place working in collaboration with the UN and WHO.
Specifically, speaking on Sierra Leone Dr. Gassama said that EBOLA is a dictator and that the end to Ebola lies in the hands of the community.
Giving a summary of all that had been said and done, Sierra Leonean Dr. Ulric Jones based in The Gambia, referred to the Ebola virus as WAR AGAINST TIME AND PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS. He called on everyone to be watchful and prayerful.
According to Dr. Ulric Jones, with the already seen proper leadership of President
According to Dr. Ulric Jones, with the already seen proper leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone for its part will overcome the Ebola virus crisis.
At the end of the seminar, time was given for questions and answers and indeed many questions were asked and answers given.
BY:- Ralph Ese’Donnu Sawyerr,
Information Attaché,
Embassy of Sierra Leone,
In The Gambia and Senegal.
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