Development

Background

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that began in 2013 in West Africa had by December 2015, resulted in over 28,000 cases. Although estimates of the number of people affected during the outbreak vary, up to 10,000 EVD survivors may require convalescent care. A number of both short- and long-term medical problems have been reported in EVD survivors, including mental health issues for both survivors and other family and community members (1-19). In addition, increasing recognition that Ebola virus may persist in selected body compartments of EVD survivors, most notably in the semen of males, brings awareness of the possibility of reintroduction of the virus in areas where transmission has previously been eliminated. EVD survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission, especially from sexual transmission. This document provides guidance on providing the necessary care and services for clinical care and virus testing, and should be used to guide the planning and delivery of ongoing health services to people who have recovered from EVD. 

A majority of Ebola survivors suffer some form of long-term brain health problems, according to a new study.

Patients who were successfully treated for the disease were found to have neurological issues six months later.

The most common problems included muscle pain, headaches, memory loss and depressed moods, but in rare cases patients were suicidal, the US researchers said.

Two years after the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, Kamanda Kamara, committee member youth advisers Plan International Sierra Leone, published on his blog about the participation of people in the battle to contain the virus and how their work has contributed to change in communities. "It is important to continue working and investing funds in structural reforms to strengthen health systems," said Concha Lopez, CEO of Plan International Spain.

During the outbreak of ebola I saw many people infected and even die in my community. I thought it was, somehow, help save my community and end this terrible disease.

The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) has welcomed the announcement of support by the United States Government to include Sierra Leone in President Barack Hussein Obama’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). This was disclosed at the weekend in a joint press release by the Public Affairs Office of United States Mission Sierra Leone and the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. According to the release, “The Ministry of Health and Sanitation is hopeful that the additional funds for PMI requested by President Obama will be approved by the U.S. Congress, paving the way for Sierra Leone to join other countries supported by this initiative.” The inclusion of Sierra Leone in the PMI will be a realization of the request by President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma during a White House meeting in 2013 with President Barack Obama, the release states. -

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