deeply tragic situation.
more than one month after contracting the virus in Daru village about 40
km out of Kenema town, and one of the worst affected communities in
Sierra Leone.
According to nurses, he displayed some very serious symptoms when
first admitted, “That small boy was very, very sick. We did not think he
would survive as so many haven’t,” said Sister Nancy Yoko, the nurse in
charge of the Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenema.
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| Sister Nancy Yoko hold up photo of survivors who have left the Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenema. © UNICEF Sierra Leone/2014/Dunlop |
Vandy started showing signs of recovery a couple of weeks ago slowly
gathering his strength. When he finally achieved a negative test result,
which revealed there was no more Ebola virus in his system, it was time
for him to go home.
“Little Vandy provided laughter at the most unlikely moments inside that
ward, I’m so happy for his recovery, “ a British volunteer nurse who
treated him inside the centre told UNICEF.
“Isata Konneh (35) was another patient who I met leaving the ward.
She had tears in her eyes and proudly displayed her certificate to the
nurses “I am so happy for this day, I thank God that he has helped me
survive” she says.
Many of those contracting the virus are themselves health workers who
come in daily contact with very sick patients. Six nurses from the
Kenema Treatment Centre, have died. Among the staff infected is survivor
Fatmata Sesay who I met after she was released from the ward along with
her 11-year-old daughter Tata. Fatmata spent three weeks in the ward
while Tata was there for two, “I am the happiest person in the world
right now.”
“I knew I was very sick as I was bleeding through my nose and
vomiting blood clots, but I am lucky, I am better now and so is Tata. It
is not easy to recover from this terrible disease,” says Fatmata.
As the survivors leave the hospital there are often several local
media waiting to photograph them and hear their story. Fatmata raises
her arms in the air, “I thank Allah and the nurses who have cared for
me, we are alive.”
Before patients leave the ward, they are presented with transport
money to get home (about US$10), a clean set of clothes, and a
certificate declaring that they are healthy and no longer have Ebola.
They are photographed and congratulated by staff, and in humble way,
celebrated for their resilience.
Hope!
