Sierra Leone’s Information and Communications Minister, Alhaji Alpha Kanu (photo) has clarified that the ebola treatment centre being built by Medecins Sans Frontieres at the Prince of Wales school in Freetown may not be used because there are other centres being constructed in the Western Area which includes the capital, Freetown, where the school is located. The Prince of Wales is one of the leading secondary schools in the country owned by the government of Sierra Leone.
Kanu was speaking today during the second online press conference facilitated by the African Press Organization (APO). He took questions live from news media around the world including the BBC, the Associated Press and this newspaper, the Patriotic Vanguard. He added that the said treatment centre will not be in any of the school buildings but on the playing field which will be disinfected after the crisis.
"But we might not even use it," he pointed out.
Answering other questions the Minister generally revealed that Ebola is being beaten in the country.
"I believe we have turned the curve," he said.
Alhaji Kanu, who appeared relieved and very positive, said the country will see the beginning of the end of ebola in Sierra Leone by the end of December.
Answering a question from the Patriotic Vanguard the Minister said Port Loko district which is no longer seriously affected by ebola has put in place several measures like constant communication with traditional leaders, construction of holding and treatment centres with qualified staff, community sensitization and so on. He said President Koroma has had a meeting with secret society leaders to curb some of the traditional practices that have been aiding the spread of Ebola.
On the recent appearance of new cases in Kono, in the east of the country, Alhaji Kanu said there have been only eight new cases in Kono and discounted alarming reports from the WHO and western media of an "explosion" of new cases in Kono.
He said that was not the information they as a government are receiving from their personnel on the ground in Kono. There was no explosion of new cases in Kono, he insisted and provided the statistics from the Ministry of Health.
Here is a video recording of today’s online press conference courtesy of APO:
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