NOCAL boosts Ebola fight

The National Oil Company of Liberia or NOCAL has stepped up its support towards efforts to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia.

According to a press release issued here Thursday, the company has now contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash and essential health materials since the outbreak of the virus in Liberia more than six months ago.

The release said the Public Engagement Manager of NOCAL, Jonathan Sogbie,  made the disclosure when the company presented a consignment of assorted food items and clothing to the Ebola Treatment Unit-2 at ELWA Hospital in Paynesville and residents of the Montserrado county electoral district #6 affected by Ebola.

The release continued that the company also presented similar items to the John F. Kennedy Memorial hospital’s Ebola Treatment Unit in Sinkor, Monrovia.

Mr. Sogbie said the latest contributions are part of the company’s effort to identify with Liberians during the public health emergency the country is faced with. “We all need to join the government in eradicating this disease from Liberia,” he urged.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the management and Staff of NOCAL, he praised the personal sacrifice health personnel continue to make in helping to save lives.  He admonished all Liberians and others residing within the country to adhere to health tips issued by the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare to help contain the virus.

Receiving the items, the head of the ELWA treatment Unit, Dr. Jerry Brown, welcomed the donation by NOCAL and appealed for more medication to help treat patients. He admonished Liberians to continue to support and respect health workers as they perform their duties. Dr. Brown said the fight against Ebola will only succeed if Liberians follow health, safety measures and demonstrate appreciation towards health workers.

He recalled an incident when a doctor working at the Emergency Treatment Unit was evicted from his residence by a landlord for fear that the doctor may infect other tenants, noting that such behavior does not help the fight against Ebola. For his part, Montserrado County Representative, Edwin M. Snowe, also commended NOCAL for supporting the efforts of the District Task Force in caring for residents quarantined in their homes.

According the release, the latest presentation by NOCAL brings the oil company’s total contribution towards the Ebola fight to US$291,500.00. The release recalled that, two weeks ago, NOCAL presented a check for US$150,000.00 towards the Ebola Trust Fund.  The company recently presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, worth over US $84,000.00 eighty-four thousand dollars.

NOCAL also contributed US $27,500.00 to help airlift a consignment of essential medical supplies being brought into the country by Chevron-Liberia, Ltd., and its international partner, International Medical Equipment Collaborative or IMEC. The release narrated that the National Task Force has since taken delivery of the items worth more than US$240,000.00.