US Congratulates Liberia Gov’t

The Government and people of the United States of America, through their Ambassador to Liberia Deborah Malac, have congratulated the Liberian Government for its efforts in eradicating the deadly Ebola virus here.

Speaking at the ceremony making Liberia Ebola free Monday at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion, Ambassador Malac praised the efforts of President Sirleaf saying during the 14 months occupation of the tropical disease here, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf worked assiduously to spread the message around the country to ensure compliance to prescribed anti-Ebola measures.

She noted that the fight was not an easy task, but Liberia was successful in winning the fight. 

“More than 25,000 persons were affected with the virus in the three regional countries and most of them were Liberians,” she indicated.

She commended the government and people of Liberia for working together in defeating the Ebola virus, saying the Doctors, Nurses and other healthcare workers sacrificed their lives for Liberia to be free from the deadly virus. 

The US Ambassador said one major challenge in fighting the virus was safe burial, noting that when someone died of Ebola, the body became dangerous; and finding a safe way to bury was a serious problem for the government of Liberia.

She said the US government brought medical supplies to West Africa to help eradicate the virus. She also said the US government sent 300,000 military personnel to Liberia. 

She urged Liberians to continue to wash their hands, saying Liberia has the capacity to respond and they all needed to work together to stop the stigmatization of the Ebola survivors. 

The US Diplomat admonished Liberians to welcome the Ebola survivors in their communities and make them feel at home and part of a family.

She said the government and people of the United States of America were ready and willing to work with Liberia to strengthen the health care sector. “We stood by Liberia during the Ebola outbreak and we are willing to stand by them anytime, they can count on America,” she noted.

By Ethel A. Tweh – Edited by George Barpeen