By Mohamed Sheriff (Intern MOHS)
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mrs. Finda Diana Konomany Kabba has recommended that government institute ban on Waterloo Trade Fair (Luma) and the quarantine of the entire area. The Minister made this statement during an orientation ceremony for 149 Paramount Chiefs held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Family Kingdom hall, Aberdeen in Freetown.
She observed that despite the ban on trade fair and public gathering across the country, Waterloo still encourages public gathering through its trade fair which is now partly responsible for the growing increase in the number of Ebola cases in the country.
The high table (L-R) Health Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo, Local Government Minister, Mrs. Finda Diana Konomany Kabba and Steve Gauja
Emphasizing the role of Paramount Chiefs in the fight against the Ebola, she called on the government to use the Ministry’s structure with the involvement of Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, Town Chiefs and Tribal Heads.
The Local Government Minister advocated to the government for recognition and financial support to strengthen the participation of Paramount Chiefs in the fight against the Ebola disease.
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah underscored the importance of the Paramount Chiefs and other traditional leaders as the backbone in the fight against the disease, noting that the success of the fight partly rests in their hands
Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah reiterated that the involvement of Paramount Chiefs across the country shows that the Local Government Ministry recognizes their strategic importance, adding that through their efforts in their various communities, they would be able to contain the disease.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Brima Kargbo.
Highlights of the occasion include presentations on the role of chiefs in preventing Ebola transmission by the District Medical Officer Kenema, Dr. Mohamed Vandy, Safe Burials by the National Coordinator of Burial Teams, Dr. Samuel Kargbo, Neighbourhood Watch ,By the Ebola Communication Committee Chairman, Mr. Lansana Conteh, and Ebola Community Care Units by the Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Momodu Sesay.
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