Students ACT in the Fight Against Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone

  • mother baby Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Medical Students’ Association embarked on an Ebola house to house awareness campaign called ‘KickEbolaOut’ which started in August.

The first cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) broke out in the Kailahun District near the border with Gueckedou in Guinea and were reported on the 25th of May 2014. Since the initial outbreak, EVD has spread unchecked through the cities and towns of Sierra Leone killing people in its wake. Some have died as a direct result of EVD, others as an indirect result of the epidemic.

In some areas, people have become afraid and suspicious of both the government and hospitals because they believe that the disease is a hoax and that the hospitals are themselves responsible for causing the outbreak. Wary of hospitals and health clinics most choose to stay home and self-medicate, attempt home deliveries without the assistance of trained personnel or availability of safe, clean equipment and to perform many other questionable health practices. Newborns miss their immunisation shots and the possibility of new diseases and/or eradicated diseases as polio erupting is an imminent threat to our health system.

There is a risk of increased incidence of infections, sepsis, maternal and child morbidity and mortality and a whole other range of complicating consequences. EVD unfortunately is succeeding to wash away the little health structures and modalities that we as a nation have struggled to build over the years. The fight to combat the short term and the long term effects of EVD has called everyone to the battle field and it is amidst this war we, SLeMSA, find ourselves.

SLeMSA

SLeMSA, Sierra Leone Medical Students’ Association formed in the year 2011 is made up of 350 medical students from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone (USL), and registered with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA). As students we embarked on an Ebola house to house awareness campaign called ‘KickEbolaOut’ which started in August.

Local Fundraising

Getting people to donate money has always been and will always be a difficult task….questions like “Why should I donate? Is it for a good cause? Is it worth it?” always come up. And answering those questions in a manner that puts the donor’s mind at ease is the ultimate key to getting what you want. On the 11th of August 2014, a team of 4 went around Freetown for a worthy cause. Our purpose was to raise enough money to sensitise the poor and ravaged communities about EVD, teach them about the preventive measures available to avoid the disease and also to state the importance of reporting a suspected EVD case without delay.

It was raining intermittently, humidity was not exactly favourable and the Ebola scare was palpable in the atmosphere. Nonetheless, we went into the oppressive crowds of Freetown armed with a dash card-a card where people write down their names and the amount they donate-and a determined heart. We had to get something…any amount to help save our people. We trod the streets of Freetown, shop to shop, business stall to business stall…we approached the owners and attempted to convince them why it was necessary to give.

Unfortunately, the failing economy of our nation limited the amount of people willing to give, some had just enough for themselves and their families, others had been previously taxed by our government and saw no reason why they should give more. We are the right people to handle the massive confusion and hysteria in Sierra Leone, we explained to those willing to listen. We can put the money donated to good use by helping the impoverished communities not yet effectively reached by the MOHS (Ministry of Health and Sanitation). We can calm the minds of people, push aside the curtain of doubt and fear…we are medical students and we are armed with knowledge!In some shops we were welcomed and given hope by Sierra Leoneans who genuinely cared about their country, in other words, we were given funds…in other shops we were applauded for our actions and sent away without a dime…we persevered however! Why? Because we love our people and our nation!

Training day

The training of willing medical students who were passionate and determined to make their presence felt amidst the chaos, fear and doubt that was literally stifling the population was held on the 16th of August. Two (2) representatives from The Health Education gave a presentation to 45 avid SLeMSA listeners in a hall just above the radiology department at The Connaught Hospital.

It was a warm day, and the air conditioner struggled to dispel the heat that engulfed us in that room as we listened attentively to the health workers that displayed a minimum of 20 slides about EVD on a white board. I remember the session being very interactive and full of excitement and tension as questions were asked and answered. By the end of the session and after a drink to slake our thirst we were presented with certificates to show that we had been a part of something indelible.  

Deal day

On the 17th day of August, two (2) communities were targeted- PZ and KROOBAY. Groups where formed and dispatched into these communities, armed with leaflets and fact sheets of EVD messages given to us by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. We took to the crowds explaining, teaching, emphasizing on EVD signs and symptoms, preventive measures and the need to report any suspected EVD case promptly. 

Hand washing techniques and chlorine solution preparation were demonstrated and taught to very interested onlookers. It was emotionally and mentally tiring but we trudged on and by the end of the day though our muscles ached and cramped from much standing and walking, we were elated! 

We are proud of what we have done. Is there more that can be done? But of course! More communities need to be reached, more need to be taught. The fears and doubts need to be addressed so that people will regain confidence in their government and in their health system that it is safe to go to hospitals rather than stay at home and self-medicate, it is wise to go to health clinics and avoid ante partum haemorrhage (APH), postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and sepsis due to home deliveries, it is safe to report sudden onset of fever, diarrhoea, bleeding, to the nearest health facility because you may very well save your life or that of a neighbours.

Future work

As future health care workers of this country, we hope to be constantly involved in any and every health crisis our nation may face. It is not our hope we face any more debilitating crises, it is our hope that we stave off all health threats and we can help to do so if we are included in our nation’s task force. If your organisation is looking for volunteers then please contact us, we will be more than happy to help.

  • fundraising ebola Sierra Leone
    Local fundraising
  • students activism ebola
    Training Day
  • students activism ebola
    Deal Day
  • students activism ebola

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