The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the worst in history and continues to sicken and kill thousands of people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. As the outbreak advances and devastates already weak health systems, Partners In Health is leading a response effort along with partners on the ground that will deliver care, help contain the current outbreak, and strengthen health systems for the long term.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a defining global health challenge of our time. The virus has sickened and killed thousands of people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, with the potential to infect tens of thousands as it spreads. The outbreak has put an enormous strain on already weak health systems, and international organizations and higher-income countries have been slow to respond. Its impact stretches far beyond just those who are infected, as access to primary deteriorates.
PIH is leading a coalition to combat the Ebola outbreak, working alongside two outstanding grassroots organizations-Last Mile Health in Liberia and Wellbody Alliance in Sierra Leone. These groups are already working to train health workers, support community-based case finding and referral, and deliver medical care (including fluid and electrolyte management). As the outbreak advances, they need more support-treating patients infected with Ebola but also people seeking essential health care.
PIH is leading a response to Ebola that will deliver care, help contain the outbreak, and strengthen health systems for the long term. PIH is planning to establish a rural Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia to ensure the hardest-to-reach patients have access to care. We hope our ETU in Liberia will serve as a model that governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other international agencies can use to scale up efforts to contain the outbreak, impacting thousands of West Africans.