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Good News, Ebola Virus Losing Ground in Liberia!

As the New Year, 2015 approaches, the prospects for ever bringing the Ebola Virus under control in West Africa was dim.  However thanks to the sacrificial efforts of the Imani House, staff, management, the Brewerville Community and groups like ours, last week news came that new cases of the infectious Ebola disease are finally on the decline.  In addition there may soon be testing of a promising preventative vaccine in Liberia.

While we continue to provide health care and community outreach and education, IHI is promoting a message of the need for everyone to practice vigilance and care. Without an Ebola preventative vaccine or a cure, we are cautioning the public to continue safe sanitary practices.  If there is one case active in any country that case is a threat to the entire population if not isolated and treated.

Sadly in late September we received news that our two clinic registrars had died from Ebola. We immediately contacted the Ministry of Health, closed and decontaminated the clinic and quarantined all staff for 21 days. The virus was not contracted at the clinic but instead one registrar, Mr. Morrison, put himself at risk by taking the blood pressure of one of his neighbors who subsequently died. Mr. Morrison was banned from the clinic however it was too late, he had already infected his co-registrar, Mrs. Theresa.  Imani House mourns the loss of these two promising young people.

It was not easy for Imani House ot overcome this tragic loss. We considered closing the clinic until the Ebola Epidemic passed. We feared for the lives of our other staff as the numbers of new cases rose each day. But the clinic staff was resolute - they wanted to reopen as soon as the quarantine was lifted.  So on October 8th the program director left the safety of New York and returned to Liberia to support the staff's efforts.  On November 10th the clinic reopened to much praise from the community. In addition we are working closely with Global Giving and Ebola Cares App. and have trained our local community outreach workers to use the donated android phones to collect important health demographics within the atmosphere of living under the threat of Ebola.

Thanks to GlobalGiving and others, In the next few weeks, Imani House will ship two Ambulances to serve the clinic, and the area of Brewerville.  The renovation of our old clinic building that will serve as a triage and holding center for suspected Ebola cases is about 1/3 complete. We continue to raise awareness and funds. 

Thanks so much to all of you who have sent prayers, kind words and contributions.  We are hopeful as the year comes to an end that you will consider the excellent work of Imani House in Liberia and share our information with your friends and family members.  All donations are acknowledged and are 100% tax deductible.

A recent interview on WNYC Radio with the IHI executive director, Bisi Ideraabdullah - Radio Interview Transcript

For More information visit  www.imanihouse.org

Wishing you all a joyous and peaceful Holiday Season,

Warmest regards,

Bisi Ideraabdullah, ED