Efforts to fight Ebola in Sierra Leone...

It was too good to be true that the Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, Guinea and Liberia, would be contained and stay out of Sierra Leone.  On Monday, the 26th of May, Ebola was confirmed in Sierra Leone, in Kailahun district, a few miles from the Guinea border, quite near the epicenter of the outbreak in Guinea. This is a serious concern. 

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation's Ebola Task Force has been meeting on a daily basis with the aim of turning the nation's Ebola preparedness plan into a response plan. The task force created sub-committees to focus on elements key to outbreak response such as: laboratory, surveillance, coordination, logistics, case management and communication. The committees report to the task force and decisions are made. 

Welbodi Partnership, as well as some other key NGO's such as King's Sierra Leone Partners, Emergency Surgical Centre and MSF and other agencies, joined the case management committee in order to support the Ministry in fighting this battle. Yesterday we were in non-stop meetings from 1pm - 6pm to finalize plans. And this is just the beginning. Next comes the ongoing efforts to follow through with plans. And, for Welbodi Partnership, we will continue supporting the Children's and Maternity Hospitals in establishing/running their isolation units and providing logistical support to the hospitals' Ebola Coordinators as well as maintain the link between the hospitals and the Ministry. We will also be involved with training of healthcare staff to ensure that they are well informed about the preventive measures they need to take.  

Of course, with an outbreak like this also comes a lot of unnecessary drama, especially a lot of mis-information. The Ministry is, rightfully so, concerned with some of the information that has been published on the internet/social media. So, for the record, all statistics reported here will be taken directly from the information released by Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation. As of the 30th of May there were 14 confirmed cases, all of which were in Kailahun district. There are no cases anywhere else in the country. There were a few suspected cases in Freetown, but they were all NEGATIVE. Let's hope that this disease will be contained and not spread further than Kailahun district. 

For information directly from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation you can go to their facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ministry-of-Health-and-Sanitation-Sierra-Leone/281064805403702

Position available: Project Manager - Maternal and Neonatal Health Project

Welbodi Partnership is recruiting a Project Manager for its new Maternal and Neonatal Health Project in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in healthcare in West Africa.

Here's a quick preview:

Welbodi Partnership’s maternal and neonatal health project comprises two complementary interventions: engagement with women in the urban communities of the Western Area and health system strengthening initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of essential obstetric and neonatal healthcare services at PCMH. 

The application deadline is June 15th, 2014.

If you, are someone you know is interested, please see the following link for details: 
http://welbodipartnership.blogspot.com/2014/05/position-available-project-manager-for.html 

Position Available: Consultant Paediatrician - Head of Training - Ola During Children's Hospital

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone is recruiting for an available position of a Consultant Paediatrician to serve as Head of Training at the Ola During Children’s Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Position Available: ConsultantPaediatrician – Head of Training

Location: Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH), Freetown, Sierra Leone

Reports to: Medical Superintendent, Ola During Children’s Hospital

Supervises: Medical Officers, Residents, House officers, and Medical Students            

Contract length: 12 months, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance

Start Date: As soon as possible

Remuneration: Competitive, to be discussed with the selected candidate

Application deadline: 4^th June 2014

The Ola During Children’s Hospital is the national children’s hospital located in the eastern part of Freetown with approximately 10,000 admissions per year. The hospital provides medical care for neonates and children from the Western Area but also serves as the only tertiary referral centre for paediatrics for the country. The hospital was granted temporary accreditation by the West African College of Physicians in November 2013. As a Consultant Paediatrician – Head of Training you would have a direct and significant impact on the quality of care provided at the Children’s Hospital and play a crucial role in the development of Sierra Leone’s first ever postgraduate training programme, producing the country’s future leaders in child health.

Please see the full terms of reference and application details here:

Terms of Reference

Application Form 

Please distribute this notice widely to those who might be interested in this great opportunity to help improve child healthcare in Sierra Leone.

Applications

Application deadline: 4^th June 2014

Applicants are welcomed from all nationalities, including Sierra Leoneans at home or in the diaspora.

In accordance with equality and diversity policy and child protection policies, successful candidates for this position will require a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check, or national equivalent. We will comply fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertake to treat all applicants for positions fairly.

Please complete and email the application form, accompanied by a CV to Dr. Sandra Lako, email: jobs@welbodipartnership.org 

CVs and cover letters will not be accepted for this position without a duly completed application form.

Only those applicants shortlisted for an interview will be notified.