Ebola survivors commend Chinese medical team(2)

Like her compatriots, Kamara got her healing through the support and treatment from the Chinese medical team. She explained that she manifested the symptoms a week of her child's death and was rushed to the Jui treatment center where she was handled with care, noting that they were visited at least two times a day by the Chinese doctors and nurses to administer medicines and psychosocial support.

According to the figures available from the Chinese Embassy, the center has treated about 671 patients, among which there are 151 Ebola positive patients.

Since the Ebola outbreak, about 8,000 Sierra Leoneans have been infected, of which some 2,000 have survived whilst some 2,859 have succumbed to the dreaded disease including hundreds of medical personnel.

It could be recalled that when the President of the west African state of Sierra Leone reported the first case of the Ebola virus about nine months ago, China was one of the first countries to respond to the call of the west African state by dispatching a plane load of medical supplies including Personal Protective Equipments, medical personnel as well as drugs.

These equipment were also supplemented with two mobile laboratories whilst the Sierra Leone-Chinese Friendship hospital was immediately transformed to a holding center and later to a treatment center especially when the disease became endemic.

Duan Xuezhang, a Chinese expert in the treatment center, explained that though Ebola has no known cure but early report to the treatment center will increase the chances of a patient's survival.

According to him their main problem is "dehydration and infection". Duan noted that when a person is very weak "he is susceptible to infection." In this case "the main therapy is fluid resuscitation with supportive treatment."

The Chinese medical team comprises of 41 staff, including 8 doctors, 16 nurses and other supporting staff. They visit the patients two times a day to administer drugs as well as give them psycho and social support for their hope and confidence.

As the country is now recording single digit figures, he advised that "we should not be complacent and ensure all suspected cases are isolated to prevent further spread and those with the virus are taken to the treatment centers as soon as possible".

He maintained that "the Chinese will be here until Ebola is kicked out of Sierra Leone".