U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made his first visit to Ebola-struck countries in Africa on Friday and Saturday, where he said that there is reason to be optimistic about winning the fight against the epidemic that has so far affected about 18,000 individuals and led to the death of nearly 7,000.
Ban also said that the United Nation's emergency Ebola response mission, UNMEER, which was set up earlier this year, should wind down after the battle against the disease is won pointing out that the mission is different from peacekeeping missions and that it should not outlive its purpose of responding to the immediate needs associated with the fight against the deadly hemorrhagic fever.
"There's a tendency that missions go on because of continuing political instability and conflict," Ban said adding that the Ebola epidemic is unprecedented and urgent eliminating it should not take too long. "That is why I am sending a political message. It is not because we have made any decision on when UNMEER should end, but it should be a short-term mission."
During a meeting with Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, the secretary general praised Liberia's achievements noting the slowing spread of the disease that he attributed to the commitment and dedication of the Liberians. Nonetheless, Ban continued to emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and the ultimate goal of totally eliminating the disease.
"Now is not the time to ease our efforts. We have witnessed how just one case can trigger an epidemic," Ban said. "We have a long way to go. Zero cases - in Liberia and this entire region - must be everyone's goal."
Ban visited an Ebola treatment center during his visit in Sierra Leone, where he acknowledged the efforts made by the health workers in battling the disease. He saluted the courage of the caregivers and offered his condolences to the loved ones of those who died fighting the deadly virus including Victor Willoughby, a known doctor in Sierra Leone, who just died.
Stopping by Guinea on Saturday, Ban met and embraced Rebecca Johnson, a nurse caring for Ebola patients who contracted the disease, recovered and is now back helping other patients. Noting that survivors like Johnson still face stigma, Ban said that those who have been helping with the Ebola crisis should not be discriminated.
"Those people are giving all of themselves," Ban said.
