Dr Abubakarr Fofanah, Health Minister
By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
District Medical Superintendent at the Kenema Government Hospital on Tuesday has expressed optimism over the caseloads of Ebola in the district.
Dr. Christian Pratt did not give specific figures in terms of the number of infection rates in recent times but said “Ebola infection rates in the epicenter are reducing gradually” and that they would eventually become a success story in the fight to eradicate the deadly viral disease.
Addressing a delegation from the office of the country’s First Lady in Kenema to donate foodstuff to families affected by Ebola he said the number of cases was "comparatively low", adding that most of patients at the Ebola case management centre in Kenema were being brought in from the north of the country.
He however said that they were in need of cash to enable them take care of admitted and discharged cases, adding that they expended up to Le 100, 000 on transportation fare for any discharged Ebola patient.
The head of delegation, Sheku Momoh said they were in Kenema to make a presentation on behalf of the First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma.
He said she was unhappy about the deaths of people, including women, children and health workers.
“In her effort to fight the dreadful disease the First Lady is donating 300 bags of rice, 300 bags of onions, 300 bags of salt, 300 containers of cooking oil, 75 cartons of Jumbo Maggie and 6 cartons of assorted soap”, Momoh said.
Mayor of Kenema, Joseph Samba Keifala said they were not surprised at the donation from the First Lady because she came from the east and cared about her people. He said Ebola was beyond politics and tribe and that there was every need for everybody to join hands in the fight against the scourge.
Resident Minister, East, Mayah Kaikai appreciated the donation and said a lot of people had died of the disease with health workers continuing to face some difficulty at their homes.
“Some nurses have been removed from their houses by their landlords,” he said, adding that Mrs Koroma had completed arrangement with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, NASSIT, for the use of their estates by nurses who were already affected.
(C) Politico, 11/09/14
