Andrew MacCalla on Ebola

Over the past several years, Direct Relief has been privileged to work with and support several deeply dedicated partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone working hard and thoughtfully to expand and improve health services for people and build back the health systems that were decimated by civil wars that ended a decade ago.  Of the many severe, chronic problems their efforts were seeking to address, the Ebola virus was not among them.  When Ebola arrived, Direct Relief’s partner organizations were on the front lines of what has since become the worst, deadliest outbreak in history.  They asked for help, and Direct Relief responded – as aggressively and expansively as possible -- and continues to do so as this is written. Direct Relief ongoing response efforts thus far have included a series of emergency airlift deliveries, including the exceptional step of a 747 charter to deliver 100 tons of urgently needed supplies in September, and mobilizing additional resources and arranging logistics globally to deliver essential aid.  These material infusions, the largest of any private source to date, have largely been the most basic personal protective equipment (gowns, gloves, masks, suits) as well as essential medications and supplies, and have been provided to more than 1000 facilities and in Liberia and Sierra Leone.  But, they are only one type of a broad set of resources – including human, financial, and others to build physical infrastructure – that also are essential...
Source: PHRMA - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news