By Kemo Cham
President Ernest Bai Koroma has called on Sierra Leoneans to reconsider traditional practices that impacted negatively on health as the country was declared free of the Ebola epidemic over the week end.
Declaring a 'new beginning', the president on Saturday urged the nation to learn from the lessons entailed in the fight against the epidemic. He singled out paying close attention to details as fundamental attribute worth retaining.
“We must continue to sustain the new habit of hygiene, sanitation and vigilance,” he said, adding: “To fully secure our victory, we must continue with the newer and better ways of caring for the sick, the healthier ways of handling the dead, and the progressive habits of hygiene, sanitation and vigilance that helped us defeat the virus.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Sierra Leone Ebola-free almost 18 months since the country recorded its first case in May 2014.
The symbolic ceremony which took place at the Bintumani Hotel Conference Center marked the end of the epidemic that began in Guinea and which has killed nearly 4000 Sierra Leoneans, among over 8000 people who were infected.
It comes after the country went for 42 days since it discharged its last known survivor from a treatment center in September.
Thousands of Sierra Leoneans glued to their radio sets to follow the live broadcast of the occasion by the Independent Radio Network.
"Today, 7 November 2015, the World Health Organization declares the end of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone," Country Representative Dr Anders Nordstrom announced, amidst a rousing applause from the audience, including the President, Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh, and First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma.
The President dedicated his speech to the effort and resilience of Sierra Leoneans, singling out health workers in particular, in ending the epidemic. Because of their efforts the world now knows more about the Ebola virus disease than it knew before 2014, he said.
Koroma said because of the heroism of health workers Sierra Leone had prevailed over the "evil virus."
As part of his 'new beginning' declaration, he said he'd asked his Justice Minister to discontinue legal actions against people found wanting for violating the state of emergency declared to stem the spread of the virus. He also said he`d began discussion with parliament to lift the emergency regulations.
Friday 18 November was declared Day of Recognition of Ebola Response Workers, while Saturday November 21 was declared National Day of Thanks Giving.
The Safe and Dignified Burial Policy which required every dead body to be buried by the designated burial teams have been relaxed. Only suspected bodies will henceforth be buried by the burial team, the president said.
But he cautioned for vigilance, citing the experience in other countries where the virus made a comeback after been initially declared Ebola-free.
"The history of Ebola in other countries has taught us that we must be prepared for a re-emergence of the disease in the future,” he said.
There were massive celebrations on the eve of the day on Friday night, with a women`s group staging a ‘Candlelight’ vigil in honor of dead health workers.
Praises have poured out from around the world for Sierra Leoneans in recognition of the effort to reach this day. Goodwill messages were issued by the United States, United Kingdom and even the WHO itself.
“The United States is profoundly grateful to the countless individuals and organizations, both Sierra Leonean and international, that came together as a coalition to defeat the virus,” a statement from the US embassy in Freetown reads in part.
It adds: “Most of all, we congratulate the people of Sierra Leone for their strength and unity in the face of this terrible outbreak.”
The UK, through its Foreign and Commonwealth Office, promised continued support for the rebuilding of the healthcare system in the aftermath of the epidemic.
“The UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Sierra Leone in their effort to build the level of resilience needed to deal with future outbreaks and to deliver their plans for the post-Ebola recovery,” a statement by the Foreign Secretary reads.
There were similar messages from the World Bank, UNICEF and WHO itself,
(C) Politico Online 09/11/15
