LIBERIA: Ebola Treatment Unit in Bong benefits Safe Drinking Water, others from LWI
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – In a bid to effectively and robustly deal with the outbreak of the dreadful Ebola Virus in the country, many local and international organizations in Liberia have reshaped their focus to the fight against the pandemic.
Water supply at the Bong County Ebola Treatment Unit, by Living Water Int’l
Ebola Treatment Unit in Bong county
Living Water Int’l Operations Manager, Raymond Musa with Bong County
Adm. Health Officer, Fatouma Jusu, at the ETU in Bong county
Int’l Medical Corps Logistical Officer, Pater Buschimin commanding Living Water Int’l for the water supply and items donated to the Bong County Ebola Treatment Unit
Since the outbreak, many of these charitable organizations have provided both material and financial support to the Liberian Government to ensure that this virulent disease is contained and the chain of transmission is broken.
One of such organizations which at the forefront of this battle is Living water International, an international Christian charity heavily involved in the provision of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene services in the country.
Due to the horrifying nature of the virus and the velocity at which it is spreading, the charity has adjusted its focus from water, sanitation and hygiene to the fight against the Ebola virus.
Since the outbreak, Living water International has been supportive of the efforts of government and partners in the containment and eradication of the Ebola virus.
The latest is a water facility in Bong County and the presentation of anti-Ebola materials for the use of the Ebola Treatment Center in the county.
Speaking over the weekend at the Ebola Treatment Unit, the Operations Manager of Living Water International, Raymond Musa said the provision of safe drinking water and the presentation of anti-Ebola materials is the organization’s way of responding to the call from the Liberian Government for concerted efforts to combat Ebola.
Mr. Musa said the water facility was constructed by his entity in August to provide portable water for patients and health workers at the treatment center.
He asserted that the water facility value at 15,000 United States dollars comprised of two wells, “one is a water system connected to with six tanks serving as reservoir for the running water”, while the other is a hand pump intended for the use of visitors at the site.
The charity Operations Manager said the water facility is to ensure that water is always available at the Ebola Treatment Unit in the county.
Mr. Musa reiterated his entity’s continuous commitment to work with the Government and people of Liberia in all its undertaking, not only the in the fight against the Ebola crisis, stressing also on a decent working relations with the Bong County Health Team and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
He assured the Bong County Health Team that the donation of the infection control materials will not be the only donation from his entity.
“We will work with you until Ebola is kicked out of Liberia “, Mr. Musa added.
For his part, the Administrative Health Officer of the County, Fatouma Jusu, thanked Living Water International for the water facility and the anti-Ebola materials.
Mr. Jusu noted that the gesture on the part of the faith based charity will go along in the eradication of the Ebola virus out of Liberia.
“Safe Water plays an integral part in the prevention of diseases, as such the construction of a water facility by Living Water International at the Ebola treatment Unit is commendable”. Mr. Jusu Added.
The county administrative Health Officer applauded Living Water International for its bore initiative in assisting the Bong County Health Team with safe water and anti Ebola materials.
Mr. Jusu revealed that the assistance of the charity will be highly needed as the county authorities have embarked on the creation of another center at the Bong County Sports Stadium.
Hygienic items donated by Living Water International to the Bong County Ebola Treatment include Clorox, Hand washing liquid, among others.
The items were officially turned over to the Ebola Treatment Unit through its Caretaker, Pater Buschimin, who’s also the Logistical Officer of International Medical Corps.
Mr. Buschimin extolled Living Water International for the donation, describing the gesture as timely and important.
He called on other organizations to emulate the humanitarian example of the Christian charity, and assured that the items will be appropriately utilized as the Ebola Treatment Unit has already started using the safe water provided by Living Water International.
Recently, Living Water International distributed several anti-Ebola materials in Margibi County to various institutions, communities and Churches including the C.H. Rennie Hospital and the Kakata Central Prison, as part of its support in the fight against Ebola in Liberia.
