The African Union has welcomed back the first group of health workers deployed under its mission to help contain Ebola in West Africa. The AU deployed health workers to Ebola hardest-hit countries under its mission called the AU Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA). The health workers, who were the first to be deployed to fight against Ebola, returned from Liberia early this week upon completion of their tour of duty, according to a statement from AU. The health workers were from Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda and the DR Congo. Among them were doctors, hygienists and communications experts, including one trainer of other medical personnel in the treatment of Ebola patients. The health workers were welcomed back by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission. AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, AU Director of Social Affairs, Olawale Maiyegun, as well as ambassadors from the health workers member states and a representative from Liberia were in attendance of the meeting organised to welcome the health workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was a unique event, the first time that the AU had welcomed back heroes in the fight against Ebola, and, without any infections among the health workers, said the statement. Dlamini-Zuma lauded the health workers for their pioneering role and assured them that AU is determined to defeat Ebola. The African Union, she committed, “will stay the course until the affected countries are declared Ebola-free.” The health workers were awarded certificates of service in recognition of their contribution to the fight against Ebola and their selfless dedication. Dr Abdou Sebushishe, a representative of the health workers outlined the impact that ASEOWA is having on the ground. The group went in September, last year. “There were very few Ebola Treatment Units (ETU). At first people preferred to go to other aid agencies when they contracted Ebola. The mortality rate was very high and there were dead bodies around. But in November 2014, we opened our own ETU in collaboration with the Cubans and the Swedish. We had 60 confirmed cases of Ebola and we released 22 of them. We also had psychosocial teams doing follow ups,” said Dr Sebushishe. During the meeting, the health workers had the opportunity to share experiences as well as some of the challenges they faced. Dlamini-Zuma said lessons from the debriefing session would be used by AU to improve the operational efficiency of ASEOWA. She also informed them that they and their colleagues still on the field would form the core of future health emergency responses by the continent. Operating in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, ASEOWA was formed by a decision of the AU Peace and Security Council, and has deployed nearly one thousand health workers in the fight against Ebola. With support from AU member states, partners and the African private sector, the health workers will remain on the field until Ebola is defeated, according to the statement. Liberia was the worst hit by Ebola, registering 4,037 of around 9,600 deaths in the epidemic, which began in Guinea in December 2013. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
