Kagame Says Rwanda Will Support West Africa Fight Ebola, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Paul Kagame has ordered the Ministry of Health to mobilize thousands of health workers and facilities to be put on standby in case of an Ebola outbreak. 

Kagame said the tens of thousands of medics would be ready to combat the virus.  He also committed that once the systems are in place, Rwanda will be ready to support the countries affected.

He said Ebola is a matter of 'national security' and has instructed local authorities to be ready to "deal with this... top priority in terms of national security of countries."

He demanded the healthcare system be strengthened 'to prevent any eventuality.' 

Kagame's commitment comes a few weeks after the United States formally requested Rwanda to provide medical assistance to West Africa.

"You can't assume responsibility outside without strengthening systems back home," Kagame said in response.

An awareness campaign on the Ebola epidemic is being rolled out countrywide. An emergency preparedness team, trained medical staffs have been set at all levels from the health center, district and referral hospitals.

Necessary kits and medical supplies have been assembled and dispatched to health facilities across the country with a focus on the districts at all boarders.

Among other skills, medical personnel have been trained in how to treat Ebola and how to protect themselves.  Reinforcement health facilities are also set, should the disease occur within borders.

Rwandan medics have been invited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Geneva to help develop an Ebola vaccine.  "We can't assume that this doesn't affect us directly and say therefore we can't be part of it in terms of contributing to normalize the situation," Kagame said.

WHO says the virus has killed more than 4,400 people including one each in USA and Spain. Kagame has warned that Ebola is no longer an African problem, but a global challenge. The US sent over 3000 troops to Africa to fight the virus.

Meanwhile, Rwanda has a direct contact with West Africa through its national carrier, Rwandair, with weekly flights to Lagos, Nigeria and other West African cities including Libreville (Gabon).

The flights have kept the country on high alert. Anyone who has travelled to West Africa within the last 22 days is screened on arrival, and monitored for 21 days.

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SOURCE KT Press