By Mustapha Kamara
An opposition parliamentarian has expressed fear that more people in Kailahun are likely to contract Ebola after a dramatic drop in infection rate in the former epicenter.
Mustapha Brima said this was due to “careless disposal methods employed by members of the National Ebola Response Center (NERC)”.
The MP who represents Constituency 002 in Kailahun, the epicenter where Ebola first broke out in Sierra Leone, claimed that “some medical experts were in the habit of disposing of used protective gear in nearby villages, especially in small streams flowing within the district.”
He said that had been the case for quite a long time since the Ebola crisis hit the country and condemned the medical officers’ attitude, saying “it has created serious panic and fear in the district.”
The MP said he had already raised the issue up in parliament for discussions and for urgent actions to be taken so as to prevent instances of possible re-infection in the district.
He explained his plans to work closely with the district medical officer, health partners and other community heads to ensure that the status of the district got better and the disease was permanently eradicated.
“With the support of government and the international Community, the district has so far been able to manage the situation very well and we have also been able to increase the number of survivors in Kailahun,” Brima said.
Chairman Kailahun district council, Alex Bonafa had also expressed fear of a possible return of Ebola in the district.
Meanwhile, Sidi Yayah Tunis, the information officer at NERC told Politico that they were not aware of the allegations made by the MP. He, however, promised that NERC would investigate them to prevent further spread of the virus in Kailahun district.
© Politico 04/11/14
