GOAL seeks medical staff to help fight Ebola

THE Dublin aid agency GOAL has launched an emergency recruitment drive for 60 medical staff to help stop the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

The charity is calling on doctors and nurses to staff Ebola treatment units in Liberia, where the US Government is building healthcare facilities and training medical person in a major step-up in their efforts to contain the virus.

GOAL CEO, Barry Andrews told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade last week that Ireland must consider developing a national response plan for the crisis that incorporates civil society groups, experienced health professionals, and experts from the Irish military.

“While funding is a major issue, deploying skilled health and logistics staff from our own health and military system is one way for Ireland to assist in the fight against Ebola and support these governments and communities to avoid the utter devastation predicted in the months to come,

? said Mr Andrews, who recently returned from Sierra Leone.

“As part of this, GOAL is launching an emergency recruitment drive for medical professionals to staff healthcare facilities in Liberia.

“By doing so, we are once again demonstrating our support for the people of West Africa, and our determination to stop the spread of the virus.

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Recent figures show that almost 6,000 people across the region have been infected with Ebola, and more than 2,833 have died.

However, in a report released last Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a worst-case scenario that could see 1.4 million cases of Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone by January 20, if the disease keeps following its current trajectory.

The US action plan for Liberia, which has so far seen the highest number of cases and deaths at 3,000 and 1,578 respectively, will include the construction of 17 healthcare facilities and the training of 500 healthcare workers.

GOAL is seeking doctors and public healthcare nurses to join a six-month assignment in Liberia to help stop the spread of Ebola.

Interested professionals can find out more by visiting www.goal.ie

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on For­eign Affairs, Seán Crowe, met with officials from Goal and Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) last week to discuss the Ebola crisis in West Africa and how Ireland can help tackle it.

The officials met with the Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss their work in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.

“The reports from West Africa and from officials on the front line are shocking,

? Deputy Crowe said.

“There are widespread reports of people dying of Ebola in the streets outside health care clinics, which were too full to admit them, and of other Ebola victims staying at home where they are infecting their caregivers.

“Ebola outbreaks can be effectively stopped and thankfully Nigeria and Senegal have so far been contained but the international community needs to accelerate its response to the Ebola crisis.

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He added:

“There needs to be more financial and physical support to the countries of West Africa and the organisations that are tackling Ebola in the weeks and months ahead.

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