Freetown, Oct. 14, 2014 (MOHS) – The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has discharged 33 survivors from the Hastings Ebola Treatment Centre at a ceremony held at the Police Training School Keith-Lewis hall at Hastings.
The survivors include five children ages two and four from Port Loko district and the Western Area. The youngest are Kapri Koroma and Ramadan Osman Koroma, all two year old.
Addressing the survivors, Presidential Adviser on Health Issues, Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) at State House, Mrs. Yabom Thaslim Sesay-Koroma on behalf of the President and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, commended the staff at the Treatment Centre for their commitment and dedication to service.
She noted their professional services and sacrifices made to save lives, and encouraged them to continue the good work.
Mrs. Sesay-Koroma lauded the joint operation of the Military and Ministry of Health doctors, nurses, and other cadres, and the Police for their invaluable support to the centre.
She underscored the importance of taking the necessary precautionary measures, and advised the survivors to abstain from the three months medical advise given them with a view to maintaining their status and healthy well-being.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Madam Madina Rahman on behalf of the Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah said she was proud of the growing success stories of the services rendered by health professionals and supporting staff of the Hastings Treatment Centre, and encouraged them to continue with the strides and good work.
She expressed gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff of the centre, noting their efforts in giving life to the patients and the continued effective and excellent job executed by the workers.
Madam Rahman noted that some of the patients are professionals affected by the Ebola deadly disease, and pledged to provide them gainful employment in the near future.
“The celebration is ours”, Madam Madina Rahman told the survivors.
The Coordinator of the Centre and Manager, National Onchocerciasis and Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Dr. Santigie Sesay reminded his audience that the first set of survivors was 49 and now 33, with a current admission of 109 and cumulative discharged cases of 79 survivors since September 19 to October 13, 2014.
He prayed for continued divine intervention to enable them continue the good work, adding that they are happy with the growing success story but sad over the denial syndrome by some people.
The outbreak, Dr. Sesay said, is still challenging and commended the Health Minister and his two Deputies including the Military, the Police, the Medical Research Centre (MRC), the Young Professionals and other organizations for their continued patriotic support to the centre.
Other speakers include representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Dr. Capt. Komba Songu -Mbriwa, representative of the Inspector General of Police, Chief Superintendent of Police and Commandant Police Training School, Tamba Biango and the final courtesies by a survivor, Nurse Fonti Kargbo.
Main highlights of the ceremony include presentation of Discharged Certificates, and donated items by the Ministry and Young Professionals which included foods, toiletries and clothes as a start-up package.
JAK/PRO/KK/IK/MOHS