Freetown, Aug. 1, 014 (MOHS) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Embassy of the Russian Federation have donated a consignment of medical equipment worth $38,000 to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in the fight against the deadly Ebola outbreak in the country.
The items which include 3000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment, and assorted consignment of first aid medical kits, medical devices, medicines and treatment guidelines came as a joint effort by the WHO and the Russian Federation to continue supporting the government of Sierra Leone in the fight against the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
DR.MITULA MAKING THE PRESENTATION TO DR. FOFANA
Handing over the items at a ceremony held on Friday August 1, 2024 at WHO Country Office in Freetown, Dr. Pamela Mitula on behalf of the WHO Representative said the items are aimed at protecting health workers that are directly involved in the handling of cases in the treatment centres, the ambulance and burial teams.
Dr. Mitula described the current situation in the country as a critical moment for the people of Sierra Leone and beyond, and advocated for concerted global efforts to contain the disease.
She reaffirmed WHO’s continued support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in controlling the Ebola outbreak, hoping that the gesture would help contribute to strengthening efforts of the government and partners in the interruption of the disease transmission.
Receiving the items, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 1, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah on behalf of the Ministry and government, thanked the WHO and the Russian Embassy and government for the donation which he described as an invaluable contribution in the current fight to contain the deadly Ebola virus disease in the country.
Dr. Fofanah described the Ebola epidemic as a disease that has the potential to destroy the gains that the government has made over the years, and advocated for concerted efforts in the fight to defeat what he referred to as an enemy of the nation.
He noted the joint efforts of the WHO and the Russian Embassy towards the clarion call of President Koroma, and assured them that the consignment would be judiciously utilized for the intended purpose.
In another related development, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States of America, Bockari Stevens made a donation of medical consignment which included examination gloves, procedure mask, surgical equipment and iodine from contributions made by the Sierra Leone Community Groups from various States in America as part of their patriotic contributions to the Ebola war in the country.
He disclosed the shipment of a container of equipment that would be essential in the fight against the outbreak, and the arrival of 25 doctors, adding that four of this mission are already working in the Kenema Treatment Centre.
In solidarity with the ongoing Ebola threat to the nation, Envoy Bockari Stevens on behalf of the group of Sierra Leoneans, also presented a cheque of Le23,000,000 (Twenty-Three Million Leones) to the Ministry as part of their modest contribution in the fight.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 1, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah expressed gratitude and appreciation to Ambassador Bockari Stevens and the rest of the Sierra Leoneans that made the donation, describing them as true patriots of the soil.
He reiterated President Koroma’s commitment to the second phase of his official launching of the Ebola response, expressing the need for every Sierra Leonean at home and abroad to compliment the efforts of government in the fight to eliminate the disease in the country.
JAK/KK/MOHS
Leave a Reply