Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Freetown (Agenzia Fides) - With its 10,510 cases of Ebola (3,199 deaths), Sierra Leone remains the country hardest hit by the virus. However, the number of new cases per week continues to decrease fortunately. But besides the direct losses of ebola there are indirect effects, the collateral damage of the epidemic. The closure of hospitals and health centers in recent months, due to the massive loss of health personnel and fear, have left entire populations without access to basic health services. These include the hospital in Lunsar, in the western district of Port Loko. The Hospital with 151 beds, run by the St. John of God Order, habitually serves a population of 500 992 people. Over the years, the quality of services provided, has become a reference point not only for Sierra Leone, with a significant flow of patients from nearby Freetown, but also for neighboring countries like Guinea and Liberia. Since August 2014 it has been closed twice. Now the will is to re-open the hospital, but there are no doctors. Hence the involvement of Doctors with Africa Cuamm, who in the district of Pujehun have managed to keep the hospital open and contain losses. The director of Cuamm Don Dante Carraro said: "the hospital is empty, 500 thousand people are without health care. We feel challenged to provide all our experience and cooperate with the hospital management and the various partners involved, for the reopening of the Hospital in Lunsar. We must help a rural hospital to resume daily life with courage". (AP) (Agenzia Fides 31/01/2015)
