US health experts arrive
A team of health experts dispatched by the United States Government has arrived in Monrovia, and 15 more are expected, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said Thursday, August 7.
(R-L) Min Dukuly, Madam Paskman& Timothy Callaghan
The ministry says the experts’ dispatch was in fulfillment of the US Government’s plans announced through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC on Sunday, 3rd August, to send 50 public health experts to West Africa to help fight the deadly Ebola Virus.
The disease has killed hundreds of victims in Liberia, including doctors, nurses, health workers and patients. Two US doctors were flown home after being hit by the deadly tropical disease here.
The head of the team of experts Mr. Timothy M. Callaghan was accompanied at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday by officials at the US Embassy near Monrovia. Mr. Callaghan is also a Senior Regional Advisor for the Latin America and Caribbean or LAC team in USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.
During a meeting with Liberia’s Internal Affairs Minister and Co-chair on the Ebola Taskforce Mr. Morris Dukuly, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Madam Sheila Paskman said the team was deployed to support the Liberian government’s efforts toward eradicating the Ebola virus here.
“The team will provide support in the technical areas of coordination and cooperation as well as ensure CDC step up its response,” she said. Also speaking, Mr. Timothy M. Callaghan said additional fifteen health experts are expected in Liberia, and the team is expected to collaborate with other US agencies that already operating in the country such as the CDC and USAID, among others.
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In response, Minister Dukuly expressed happiness and lauded the United States Government on behalf of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who chairs the National Task Force on Ebola for fulfilling a significant promise in a timely manner. He described the United States as a historical, traditional partner who he said has always stood by Liberians and the country as a whole.
