Speaking on behalf of the Association during a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Sanitation at his Youyi Building office in Freetown, the organization’s President, Dr. Jeredine George commended the Minister for his strides in coping with the challenges within the health sector.

Expressing the Association’s concern about measures put in place to avert other doctors from falling victims of the Ebola virus, Dr. George noted the death of their colleague doctors and the recent case of Dr. Martin Salia who was admitted at the Hastings Ebola Treatment Centre. Dr. George appealed for more training on infection prevention control, and a familiarization tour of the Holding and Treatment Centres in the Western Area.

Responding, Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that all frontline health workers are given the prerequisite training on infection and prevention control, and welcome the challenge by the junior doctors to be provided similar training to build their capacity in the treatment of the Ebola virus disease.

The Minister underscored the importance of training all cadres of health workers, and paid tribute to the five fallen medical professionals who lost their lives in the event of trying to save life.

Commenting on the status of their colleague, Dr. Martin Salia, the Minister disclosed plans for Dr. Salia to be flown to the USA for treatment.

He dilated plans for the construction of a 16-20 bed Treatment Centre for both local and international health workers at Kerry Town, and thanked them for the continued sacrifices at this time of the Ebola crisis.

TS/IC/JAK/PRO/MOHS