Abu Dhabi: A generous contribution of $5 million (Dh18.37 million) from the UAE will now help enhance the fight against the Ebola virus in the three affected nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The contribution was made under the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and was ordered by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. A partnership between Unicef and the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (Micad) will oversee the use and implementation of the funds in the three Western African countries, Unicef announced in a statement sent today (October 15).
The Ebola virus disease was identified in 1976, and has a fatality rate between 25 per cent and 90 per cent. It is typically transmitted from wild animals to humans, and then spreads by human-to-human direct transmission. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), such transmission, however, requires contact with bodily fluids and secretions of an affected patient.
The current epidemic in West Africa is the world’s worst so far. It began in Guinea in early 2014, and spread to neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone. Elsewhere, cases have also been recently reported in the United States and Spain. So far, the disease has claimed more than 4,030 lives, as recorded by the WHO in its latest disease outbreak report.
While no cases have yet been detected in the UAE, the monetary contribution comes at a time when nations are bracing for a further spread of the disease. The Unicef statement said that it will allow the organisation to implement strong educational programmes that help communities understand, treat and prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, key supplies required by Ebola treatment units will be procured. The Unicef will also be able to deliver basic social services in affected communities, including maternal and child health care, water supply, sanitation, education services, and protection of children who have lost parents to the disease.
“This valuable contribution from the UAE is not surprising. The UAE has been championing the cause of health and emergency response for many years, and have been able to achieve remarkable results in several causes such as polio eradication.” said Dr Ebrahim Al Ziq, Gulf Area representative at the Unicef.
There is, as yet, no vaccination available against the Ebola virus, although about two are said to be in development. Infected patients are mainly provided supportive care, which can increase their chances of survival. According to the WHO, symptoms of infection include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
So far, the WHO has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions to be applied by countries, except in cases where individuals have been confirmed or are suspected of being infected, or where individuals have had contact with infected patients. As reported by Gulf News on Monday, UAE health sector officials have said that a raft of emergency protocols will be swiftly implemented to isolate and contain any cases that may be detected in the country.
