MONROVIA, Liberia - United Methodist News Service
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a prominent United Methodist, is now heading the task force for the fight against the Ebola virus, which she has declared a national emergency. E. Julu Swen of the Liberia Annual (regional) Conference has the story.
Monrovia, Liberia
by E. Julu Swen
The President of the Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a prominent United Methodist, is now heading the Task Force for the fight against the Ebola virus in Liberia. President Sirleaf made the announcement on July 26 in Monrovia during festivities marking the celebration of Liberia’s Independence Day. The Ebola virus has already claimed more than 124 lives including the lives of health workers.
President Sirleaf has declared the fight against Ebola a national emergency and called on all Liberians, religious leaders and traditional leaders to second individuals to the Task Force for immediate action. “We all need to get involved in spreading preventive messages about protecting nation,” the President asserted.
The President’s latest action comes after the death from Ebola of a highly placed government official, Patrick Sawyer, and a renowned medical doctor, Samuel Brisbane. According to reports, both Sawyer and Brisbane contracted the virus and died while caring for others who were afflicted.
On July 25, 2014, the National Health Worker’s Association of Liberia released a statement in which the organization indicated that seven health workers were afflicted by the Ebola virus, while several others were on the suspected and probable Ebola case lists. The statement was released barely 13 days after the association held a memorial service for eight of its members who had earlier died from the Ebola virus while caring for other Liberians.