Amid the fear and sorrow of Ebola
SANTHAM PILLAY FACING newly orphaned children and dealing with grieving parents are some of the challenges of Dr Indira Govender’s latest assignment on the border of Ebolahit Liberia.
“The hardest aspect of the trip has been witnessing the effect that this disease has had on families and communities, and the huge loss of local healthcare workers,” she said.
“Many children orphaned, many parents who have lost their children. It is quite devastating, especially the way in which people die and the shock of being separated and isolated when you’re sick.”
The 33-year-old Durban doctor serves as the deputy medical co-ordinator for the South African and Lesotho branch of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
Her latest assignment has placed Govender in Kailahun in Sierra Leone, on the border with Guinea and Liberia — the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
As part of her duties, Govender draws blood on suspect cases and cleans and feeds patients and dispenses medication to them. Durban doctor helps in fight against virus
Govender said she was able to remain positive.
“We are always aware of the risks we face. We keep each other in check and always maintain the safety precautions by respecting the protocols and each other.”
Govender said the atmosphere in communities surrounding their base was one of fear.
“There is still a large amount of stigma, fear and denial among more remote communities.
“Some colleagues who are involved in outreach or contact-tracing say that people are afraid when they approach, and sometimes the reality of the disease hits them when they see a foreigner in their village with an ambulance, something that has never happened before.”
She said one of the ways the medical personnel were able to create a positive mind-set for themselves and the community was by cel- ebrating the good days.
“Survivors are discharged when their blood tests negative for the virus. We usu- ally celebrate these individuals. It is a very emotional moment for everyone,” said Govender.