The UK is leading the
response in Sierra Leone and has already committed £230 million to the recovery
effort. The first of the UK constructed Ebola treatment centres (ETC) in Kerry
Town opened on 5 November and has 62 beds. Five additional UK supported
facilities are also near completion and will be up and running as of today.
The UK-led training academy
in Freetown has now provided:
- over 4,000 courses for
1270 healthcare workers, - over 2,100 hygienists and logistics staff
- and over 300 trainers of trainers.
With DFID support, WHO has
also trained a further 1,000 frontline staff. More than 50 NHS staff from
across the UK have flown out to Sierra Leone to join Britain’s fight against
Ebola, joining almost a thousand military personnel, scientists, healthcare and
aid workers on the ground. Together we are working to contain, control and
defeat this appalling disease. We should be very grateful for the dedication of
all personnel involved.
When people ask what does our
International Aid money do to help us in the UK, and those in trouble around
the world, this is a great example, and I am really proud of what we are doing. But at Christmas time please remember all the UK experts out there in Sierra Leone doing what they can for this afflicted country and preventing the spread of this terrible disease.