By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Somaliland government is fully prepared to tackle any reported case of Ebola virus infection in the country.
This was revealed by the Health minister Dr Suleiman Isse Ahmed ‘Haglatosie’ during a press briefing in his Hargeisa offices where he said capabilities are in place to discover infected persons entering the country.
“We have placed fully trained units in 53 entry points that include airports, sea ports and land based border towns” said Dr Haglatosie
The health minister also informed that apart from the Ebola trained personnel from his ministry seconded to the 53 points, staff from the immigration department and ministry of aviation are also being trained to recognize Ebola virus symptoms.
Dr Haglatosie whose remarks were geared towards allaying fears within the populace following media reports that informed of the government’s lack of Ebola countering strategies added that those found to be infected will be returned to their countries of origin.
Said He , “We are checking those entering the country and those foreigners infected shall be returned from where their journey originated from while locals shall be quarantined in medical tents erected in the 53 border points”
The health minister who that appropriate gears for the Ebola Units from his ministry have been procured and distributed as necessary also said the government is in close collaboration with stakeholders internationally especially as pertains to securing the now in trial Canadian vaccine that shall be ready late December.
The Ebola outbreak has affected over 10,000 families in West Africa especially Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone where the slow spreading virus has claimed over 4,800 lives so far.
Watch Dr Haglatosie briefing on Somaliland’s Ebola Preparedness
