‘Ebola must go campaign’ Launched

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has launched a nationwide campaign against Ebola in New Georgia- a community that is now considered a “role model” after suffering a major outbreak between August and September this year. President Sirleaf listened to the story of how several victims survived in New Georgia due to the effort of the Christ Kingdom Harvest Church, along with the New Georgia community leadership.

Community Chairman Walker Dennis had said 12 persons died, with five confirmed out of the number, and while eight survived treatment. President Sirleaf expressed the hope that other communities across Liberia would hear of New Georgia and follow suit to be honored as well.

Launching the campaign, which she said, is a national effort between the government and partners, President Sirleaf noted it aims to ensure that there is no new case by [January] 2015, and that communities should take responsibility in kicking Ebola out.

“We must all be committed to say it must go; we know it’s real. We’ve passed the stage of saying its real. We all know it’s real,” she said, introducing a new pledge for all Liberians to now say to themselves in fighting the virus, that they would protect themselves, their families, as well as communities, among others, to achieve a zero new case as soon as possible.

She cautioned that the anti-Ebola measures be applied, including safe burial and hand washing. In appreciation to the survivals for abiding by the measures, the church and the community’s efforts, she assured that the road leading inside New Georgia would be rehabilitated.

The Resident Pastor of the church, Mother Ophelia Gartey said the church played an immense role in helping six children to survive, through its intervention, after their mother, who was a member of the church, got infected and passed. She said though others discouraged them, they remained firm, ensuring that they went to hospital and survived.