With Ebola cases in Sierra Leone on the decline, the government will soon begin laying off health workers recruited to fight the outbreak. President Ernest Bai Koroma said where possible, laid-off health workers will be given employment elsewhere.
Koroma addressed the people of Sierra Leone, saying infection rates have been falling each week, so there is less of a need for treatment facilities and staff. Still, the president called for continued vigilance while the virus remains a threat.
No details have been released about the number of health workers being let go, but Koroma found the words to express his gratitude toward them.
"For those who will be laid off because of the scaling down of facilities, let me express my sincere thanks to you for your brave national service to your country," he said.
Though Sierra Leone currently has more health workers than needed, at the peak of the outbreak, there was a great struggle to get medical personnel – both domestic and international – to help out. According to the United Nations, 500 West African health workers have died from the disease.
In an effort to attract volunteers and retain those who were already recruited, Sierra Leone gave workers a salary of $100 a week as hazard pay. But with the number of cases dwindling, that practice has ended.
In addition to praising health workers for their assistance, Koroma reminded them of the skills and knowledge they have gained from the experience. It has made them valuable assets to the government, and efforts are underway to absorb outstanding individuals into the service as soon as possible.
Sierra Leone schools have been closed since July 2014 but are scheduled to open again on April 14. To help parents and children get back on their feet, tuition fees in public schools will be waived by the government for the next two years.
Together, the leaders of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have set the goal of no new Ebola cases by April 16. Liberia had started counting down earlier in March, after discharging its last Ebola patient from the hospital. Liberia was, however, back at square one after a new case was confirmed later in the month.
Guinea has declared a 45-day state of health emergency in the Kindia, Boffa, Dubreka, Coyah and Forecariah prefectures. All affected West African countries must be declared Ebola-free before the outbreak can be considered as over.
Photo: DFID - UK Department for International Development | Flickr
