Ebola Cases Are Still High in Bong - County Health Officer Discloses

Dr. Sampson Azoakoi, Bong County Health Officer

liberianobserver.com - October 30, 2014

Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Sampson Azoakoi, has stated that Ebola cases are still high in the county despite frantic efforts by the County Health Team, the County Leadership and partners to fight the deadly virus there. . .

. . .The County Health Officer informed the gathering that the Ebola cases began to increase in the county from week ten when the disease engulfed the entire county.

Dr. Azoakoi told the Taskforce that he believes the rapid spread of the disease is the direct result of the refusal of local residents to adhere to measures announced by health authorities.

“If we do not change our behavior of how to treat this deadly disease, it will surely live with us for a long period of time despite firm commitment of the international community to fight the virus,” Dr. Azoakoi declared shaking his head in disappointment.

He told this paper that one of the underlying reasons for the increase in Ebola deaths in recent times is the entrenched culture of silence on the part of Liberians to report for testing in spite of the presence of testing centers in the county.  This, he warned, is breaking down the fabric of the society.

The County Health Officer stressed that with the ingrained culture of silence, the County Health Team is finding it extremely difficult to fight the Ebola virus disease in the county.  This is especially so because suspected Ebola virus carriers are not prepared to be quarantined or to report to the health facilities for early checkup and treatment.

Ordinary Bong County residents who spoke to the Daily Observer argued that the virus is not being enclosed due to the lackadaisical response on the part of the residents to the measures put in place by health authorities.  Others maintain that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Government of Liberia are not doing much to respond to the appeals of health workers to provide services at the health facilities and ETUs around the country.