LIBERIA: LDS Erects Ebola Case Management Center at Phebe Hospital
By: Augustine N. Myers – Lutheran Development Service in Liberia (LDS) has embarked on the construction of a modern Ebola Case Management Center for suspected patients at the Phebe Hospital in Bong County.
Care-Taker Head of newly built Ebola Treatment Unit in Bong County, briefing Act-Alliance Team during the assessment visit
Ebola Case Management Center nearing completion at the Phebe Hospital
Team from Act Alliance Liberian Forum with Phebe authority and contractor
Ebola Treatment Unit under construction in Bong County
The building which is nearing completion is valued at 25 thousand United States dollars, with support from Act-Alliance “Action by Churches Together”.
The construction of the Center is one of the preconditions for the reopening of the Phebe Hospital, as six health workers from Phebe Hospital have lost their lives to the deadly Ebola virus.
Health Care Workers at the Phebe Hospital are among other things requesting Risk Benefits, and the construction of an Ebola Isolation or Treatment Center before returning to work.
The Executive Director of the Lutheran Development Service, Joseph S. Binda described the Center as the first step to re-open Phebe Hospital.
Mr. Binda speaking to the Press Monday at the close of an assessment visit to Bong County, said the Ebola Case Management Center is about 65 percent finished.
“We need to open the hospital, we cannot afford to see Phebe Hospital closed for a long time”, the LDS Boss stressed.
Mr. Binda said he was happy that there is a high level of progress on the construction of the Ebola Case Management Center.
He also said he was happy to have visited the construction site of the Ebola Treatment Unit of Bong County. The construction of the Unit is carried out by the Liberian government and partners.
Mr. Binda also said the Ebola Treatment Unit is an isolation center as a result of recommendations from Health Care Workers at Phebe Hospital that when someone is confirmed as an Ebola patient, the person should be transferred to the Unit for treatment and not stay at Phebe Hospital with other patients.
According to Mr. Binda, the Ebola Case Management Center at the Phebe Hospital which is expected to be completed by the middle of this month and turned over, will be furnished and provided medical equipment and drugs. This will subsequently lead to the reopening of Phebe.
Mr. Binda was accompanied to Bong County on the assessment visit by the Chairman of Act-Alliance Liberian Forum, Allen Lincoln, and later visited the newly constructed Ebola Treatment Unit.
Mr. Lincoln also told the Press that the modern Ebola Case Management Center is in the interest of the Phebe Hospital and Bong County at large.
According to him, it is expected that following the end of the Ebola virus in Liberia, the Ebola Case Management Center at Phebe will be used to treat cases of laser fever which is common in the County.
Mr. Lincoln also said, the assessment tour of the Ebola Treatment Unit gives him a better picture to see that there are things going on as part of efforts to fight Ebola.
He commanded the Lutheran Development Service (LDS) for effectively leading the intervention of Act-Alliance against the fight of the deadly Ebola virus.
