Ebola: UN calls for more action on containment in W/Africa

By Doyin Ojisope
Citing the “memorable and moving” example of a Sierra Leonean nurse who had contracted Ebola but became a caregiver as soon as she had recovered, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has said that kind of commitment “should move us all to do more to end the outbreak” in West Africa.
Mr. Ban spoke to reporters at UN Headquarters upon his return from a trip to the region that took him to Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana to ensure that “the UN response is a rapid, effective and comprehensive one.”
“Over the past few days, I witnessed immense suffering,” he stated. “Ebola is a terrible disease that denies the humanity of its victims and stigmatizes its survivors. But I also saw almost superhuman acts of kindness and support.”
The UN chief said he saw the progress being made and the slowing of the rate of transmission in many places.
“Where the strategy of isolation of the patients and treatment, contact tracing and safe and dignified burial is implemented, it is working,” Mr. Ban said. “Some areas that were once hot spots, such as Lofa County in Liberia, have been free of Ebola for weeks: he noted.”
But today, “our immediate goal is simple: zero cases.”
He once again stressed the need for more resources and help for the countries and people affected by Ebola – human resources, medical doctors and nurses and health workers, and financial support and equipment and logistical support.