By Mustapha Kamara
As a way of putting resources together for the containment of Ebola in Sierra Leone, Action Aid has utilised Le 350 million for the purchase and donation of food items, cleaning equipment, stationery, fuel and protective gear for Ebola affected persons across the country.
Action Aid’s executive director, Mohamed Sillah, said the donations, which started early this week, had already been done in Kambia, Bombali, Tonkolili, Bo, Moyamba and the Western Area.
He said plans were underway for similar gestures to be extended to Kenema, Kailahun and Kono. He also said that they had been donating to district health management teams and Ebola task forces for onward delivery to quarantined homes and check points.
Sillah said the welfare of persons in quarantined homes was paramount in the Ebola fight and that “they should be given priority as that will help reduce the psychological effect on them”. He encouraged the public to desist from hiding sick relatives and neighbours, as well as stigmatisation.
He pointed out that the greatest stumbling block in the containment and eventual eradication of the disease remained denial, adding “that is why the number of new infected cases keeps rising daily”.
He pleaded with affected persons and communities to adhere to the precautionary measures put forward by the health ministry, adding that more sensitisation was needed if infected cases were to subside.
The ActionAid boss said his organisation wanted to show solidarity and give support to those who needed it most at such times.
Receiving the items on behalf of the DHMT, the Western Area district medical officer, Reverend Dr. Thomas Samba, said it was timely, and assured the items would reach their intended destinations “in a harmonised and transparent manner”.
(C) Politico 18/09/14
