Challenges face Ebola survivors

In her forties, Maimaïssatou Toure is a mother of six and an Ebola survivor from Forécariah Prefecture, Guinea. Known for her dynamism and courage, this woman devoted one year of her life to caring for children whose parents were infected by Ebola and admitted to the treatment centre in Forécariah.

Her story resembles that of many others who have been infected by the Ebola virus disease after contact with a close relative. Unlike some of her family members who were infected but did not survive, including her son, Maimaïssatou Toure beat Ebola after receiving care at the Conakry Donka-based Ebola treatment centre.

“After two weeks of treatment, I tested negative for Ebola and was authorized to go back home to my children and husband. As I expected, people in my neighbourhood avoided any contact with me. They were curious but no one dared coming close to me. What I went through opened my mind and I understood that Ebola patients need support.’’

Contacted by the Forecariah treatment centre to support awareness and counselling for infected patients, Maimaïssatou found a new calling. “I had to comfort the sick and take care of their young kids. As a person who recovered from Ebola, I knew the suffering they were going through and the fear they had developed. Since I could not find any words to encourage them, all I did was make sure I took care of their children as if they were mine.”

- See more at: http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/news-stories/africa/guinea/challenges-face-ebola-survivors-72053/#sthash.XFOw0fBP.dpuf