Irish charity seeking medical staff to help fight Ebola

The aid agency is calling on doctors and nurses to staff Ebola treatment units in Liberia, where the US Government are to build healthcare facilities and train medical staff in a major step-up in their efforts to contain the virus.

GOAL CEO, Barry Andrews delivered a strong message to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin in the past few days, saying that Ireland must consider developing a national response plan for the crisis that incorporates civil society groups, experienced Irish health professionals, and experts from the Irish military.

“While funding is a major issue, deploying skilled health and logistics staff from our own health and military system is one way for Ireland to assist in the fight against Ebola and support these governments and communities to avoid the utter devastation predicted in the months to come,” said Mr Andrews, who recently returned from Sierra Leone.

“As part of this, GOAL is launching an emergency recruitment drive for medical professionals to staff healthcare facilities in Liberia. By doing so, we are once again demonstrating our support for the people of West Africa, and our determination to stop the spread of the virus.”

Recent figures show that almost 6,000 people across the region have been infected with Ebola, and more than 2,833 have died. However, in a report released on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a worst-case scenario that would see 1.4 million cases of Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone by January 20th, if the disease keeps following its current trajectory.

The United States action plan for Liberia, which has so far seen the highest number of cases and deaths at 3,000 and 1,578 respectively, will include the construction of 17 healthcare facilities and the training of 500 healthcare workers.

GOAL is seeking doctors and public healthcare nurses to join GOAL for a six-month assignment in Liberia to help stop the spread of Ebola. Interested professionals can find out more by visiting www.goal.ie.