By Mabinty Kamara
Health management chairman at the Kuntholoh community in the east of Freetown has called on government and partners to support them construct an Ebola holding centre at the Approved School playfield.
Chernor Allieu Mansaray said the construction was a community initiative approved by the World Health Organisation and other concerned groups after they found out that cases of the Ebola Virus Disease were on the increase in the locality, making it one of the hotspots in the Western Area.
“This is to prevent interaction between the sick and their relatives which is mostly due to delay in responding to calls made to the 117 help line,” Mansaray said, adding that the project was first sponsored by the councillor of Ward 356 who later got help from Lifeline Nehemiah Project, a community-based organisation.
“But the help is still not enough. We need more help because much has to be done to complete the construction work,” he pleaded.
Some people around the unfinished centre, very close to the Brima Lane new market, said they were happy for the project.
Ibrahim Bundu, who trades in rice and other condiments, said “this is a very good idea. If we have had a holding centre in this community my very good neighbour, Mr. Anthony and seven of his relatives, would not have died just like that at home.”
Salamatu Bangura, a petty trader in the same market, expressed dissatisfaction, saying “the centre is very close to a public place and the raining season is still around. The rains might bring the waste and deposit it in the market or even on the streets where our children play.”
At some quarantined homes in the community, most residents expressed gratitude to the community chief for ensuring their needs were being met.
© Politico 02/12/14
