Liberia formally closes the Ebola Virus Illness (EVD) survivors

The Ebola Virus Illness (EVD) outbreak in Liberia from March 2014 to June 2016 devastated the livelihoods of the inhabitants and the nation’s economic system. The epidemic led to 11,622 EVD instances with 4,686 deaths. The third wave of EVD outbreak in 2016 was attributed to sexual transmission, resulting in the institution of the Males’s Well being Screening Program (MHSP) in July 2015 to supply male EVD survivors with semen testing for EBOV RNA by rRT-PCR and behavioral counseling on secure intercourse practices. This intervention was led by the Ministry of Well being (MoH), in collaboration with WHO and the United States- Heart for Illness Management (US-CDC).

Giving the overview of this system, Mr. Emerson J.  Rogers, MHSP Program Director stated this system was coordinated from three websites in three counties (Montserrado, Bong and Lofa) that had been most affected by EVD epidemic within the nation. A complete of 857 survivors had been enrolled, of whom 766 had Ebola Therapy Unit (ETU) discharge certificates and 91 survivors didn’t have ETU certificates. Outcomes indicated that EVD survivors did shed viral particles of their semen for greater than 90 days with the final participant taking at the least 6 months.

Delivering the keynote tackle, Mr. Joel Maybury, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, congratulated Liberia and its companions for sustaining the MHSP. “Liberia is the one nation within the area that’s on file for efficiently following EVD survivors.” Mr. Maybury stated. He pledged the US Authorities’s steady partnership to make sure a more healthy Liberia by means of the supply of sufficient healthcare.

Talking at this ceremony, Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Nation Consultant described the EVD outbreak in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone as a illness of the marginalized.

“As we speak is one other demonstration that Liberia has received the struggle towards EVD and written historical past with the profitable screening and following up of all of the enrolled male EVD survivors within the nation,” Dr. Clement stated.

He stated all these wouldn’t have occurred with out the communities, partnerships, and solidarity from everybody.

” Liberians are resilient individuals, once they say we’ll, they do”.  Dr. Clement stated.

He pledged WHO’s dedication to supporting the federal government of Liberia within the constructing of a resilient well being system which he stated is important.

The top of the EVD survivors community, Mr. Vannie kamara talking on behalf of his colleagues referred to as on the federal government and companions to not neglect them even after the closure of this system. He counseled his colleagues and referred to as them heroes, “we’re pleased that we’re free and might now not transmit EVD by means of our semen “he stated.

The Honorable Minister of Well being Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah thanked the survivor’s community for his or her cooperation. “Allow us to make EVD a previous as we speak but in addition bear in mind its devastation and put together for the long run forward”, she stated. Min. Jallah then pleaded with companions to proceed supporting the EVD survivors in order that they aren’t forgotten”

“Findings from the MHSP and classes discovered will profit Liberia and the world”.  Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Well being Minister, stated.

Over 48 MoH workers and the final cohort of the EVD survivors who participated in this system had been gowned and authorized for his or her assist and dedication to the MHSP.

With funding from the US-CDC, WHO offered technical, logistical, and operational assist to the MHSP that led to profitable counseling and follow-up of all of the enrolled 857 individuals (100%) on the danger of Ebola Virus transmission and guaranteeing every of them was examined and obtained two (02) detrimental PCR outcomes with no transmission throughout the 6 years comply with up interval.