First local Clinical Psychologist helps support the affected
(Hong Kong‧22 July 2014) In view of the aggravating Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) is to send two healthcare professionals to Liberia this month for joining the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) prevention operation and community education. For the first time, the operation, scheduled for one month, is to include a clinical psychologist. They will provide training on psychological support to the local Red Cross volunteers, for supporting the affected families as well as preventing further spread of EVD in the community.
This is HKRC’s second-round deployment to reinforce the operation against EVD transmission. In April, three experienced volunteer nurses of HKRC served in Liberia for a month.
According to the World Health Organization, the total number of confirmed and suspected cases in the West African countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone has surged to 964 from March to 12 July, and claimed 603 lives amongst them. The plague is still likely to spread through to the neighboring countries.
HKRC has launched a public appeal in Hong Kong since late April for supporting the EVD operations in West Africa. Thanks to the generous support of Hong Kong people, up to date, a total of HK$120,000 specified donations have been received. All the donations, after deducting 5% of administrative expenses, will be used for deploying healthcare personnel to Liberia for the EVD operations. In response to the aggravating epidemic, the International Red Cross has launched a global appeal for HK$27 million, aiming to provide emergency support to over 10 million people in the three nations mentioned. However, there is still halfway to reach the fundraising target.
Red Cross operations to combat Fear and Ignorance
Ms Betty Lau, HKRC Head of International and Relief Service, said, “Fear and ignorance are two major factors that fuel the spread of EVD. Many in the local communities have little knowledge about the causes and transmission channels of EVD. Some even consider it is caused by witchcraft. The ignorance may thus lead to delay in treatment and being identified. Some patients and their family members are being stigmatized, making people withhold their status and delay seeking treatment.”
During their operation in Liberia in April and May this year, HKRC’s three volunteer nurses often encountered cases in which the infected or quarantined persons, though having recovered, were rejected by the community and lost their jobs and social connections. Some family members of the deceased were also being discriminated, and were forbidden to go to school or work. Red Cross provides them with food and basic necessities. Yet, it is also important to reinforce the psychological support service, so as to help them re-integrate into the society.
HKRC personnel’s new round of operation will, therefore, focus more in providing further training to local volunteers on psychological support, as well as community education programmes, so as to help the affected families resume to normality, and to eliminate discrimination for preventing the spread of EVD in communities. Joining the operation are: Ms Eliza Cheung Yee-lai, HKRC Clinical Psychologist of HKRC and Dr May Yeung Pui-shan, medical officer.
HKRC Clinical Psychologist to join operation
Ms Cheung possesses rich experience in clinical psychology counseling and training. She has involved in providing psychological support service for the affected in the incidents of Ma Tau Wai Road building collapse, vessel collision off Lamma Island and Manila hostage. Prior to departing for Liberia tonight (22 July), she said, “Fear can be helpful in preventing disease from spreading, as fear raises people’s alert on the plague. Yet, excessive fear would hinder the plague prevention work. Red Cross’s work is thus aiming to relieve fear through disseminating proper knowledge on plague prevention, so as to help the affected restore their normal living and to prevent the plague from spreading.”
Dr Yeung will set off next week. She is an honorary medical officer of the Hospital Authority, with rich experience in epidemic control. During Hong Kong’s SARS outbreak in 2003, she provided support service for elderly homes. She also joined HKRC’s medical relief mission after the earthquake in Qinghai Yushu in 2006.
Media Enquiries: Ms Denise Wong, Corporate Communications Manager 2507-7111 / 9842-6002 / wf.wong@redcross.org.hk
Hong Kong Red Cross “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa” Means of Making Donations
Members of the Public can donate to support the HKRC “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa” operation through the following means:-
1. Cheque
Send a crossed cheque made payable to “Hong Kong Red Cross Africa Relief Fund”, marking “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa” at its back to the Hong Kong Red Cross.
2. Bank Transfer
Direct transfer to “Hong Kong Red Cross Africa Relief Fund” bank account:
HSBC: 801-244088-001
Please mail the original bank pay-in-slip, marking “Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa” at its back, to the Hong Kong Red Cross for issuing official receipt.
Hong Kong Red Cross address:- Hong Kong Red Cross Headquarters 33 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong
General Enquiry for the Public:- Tel: 2802-0016 / Fax: 2802-0017 / E-mail: relief@redcross.org.hk