By Mustapha Kamara
Country Representative of the UN World Health Organisation has called on government to “institute an exit screening of all persons at international airports, seaports and other major land crossings".
Expressing optimism about the eradication of the deadly Ebola virus disease in the country, Dr. Jacob Mufundu said government was facing "challenges" to contain the disease”. He said they had already recommended the screening process to all Ebola-affected countries which he said was in accordance with the International Health Regulation of 2005.
At minimum, he went on, “the exit screening should consist of a questionnaire and temperature measurement”. Where there was a fever, he said, a risk assessment should be carried out, adding that if such fever was caused by Ebola, the person “should not be allowed to travel unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation”.
Addressing journalists at the WHO country office, Dr Mufunda described the exit screening as “one of the most appropriate health measures to be adopted at all exiting points” and added that the measure should be part of every affected country’s public contingency plan to eradicate the deadly hemorrhagic outbreak.
He advised that “arrangements and operational procedures should be put in place and implemented by trained personnel with adequate use of effective personal protective equipment for medical assessment...in place “.
To stop the spread of the disease and cure it, he explained, that WHO had been working with and supporting the government of Sierra Leone “with professional medical experts, equipment, human resources and strategies in collaboration with other local and international health partners in all districts across the country”.
Dr. Mufunda also advised communities across the country to always call on the Ebola emergency response centre on a toll-free line of "117" from all networks. “We are not scaling down our work force, we are actually expanding” he said, adding that 10 more medical experts from other regions would land in Sierra Leone this week in addition to "a high level delegation from Geneva" to be headed by the UN Deputy Director General responsible for Emergencies. He said they would “support the government morally and materially to ensure that the containment is done”.
(C) Politico 21/08/14
