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Source: Dutch National Television NOS; Summary of skype interview with Dutch nurse, working in Monrovia Ebola clinic.
"Ebola patients sent away"
Wednesday Aug 27 2014
"We have staff at the gate who do nothing but turn away people. This is not easy, because we don't know where they could go," said Karline Kleijer from MSF.
In West Africa, the Ebola epidemic is still spreading rapidly. To help patients MSF opened an emergency clinic last week in the Liberian capital Monrovia. After four days the clinic was full.
Currently there are about 200 patients in the clinic. According Kleijer that could have been more than 600 already if they had opened the doors. That can not be, because so many people infected with Ebola would be a danger to the employees of MSF.
Not administered
Because there are not enough emergency clinics and regular healthcare is not functioning most Ebola patients can not be administered. Therefore, the clinic expanded by another dozen beds. But even that is not enough. "We know there are thousands of patients walking in the street, infecting other people," says Kleijer.
According to her, there are not enough resources to detect the contacts of the patients. Thereforepeople who are also infected can not be identified . " The houses of patients must be decontaminated. It will not happen."
emotional
The work of the rescuers is heavy. It is very hot in the suits that they need and there is always the risk of getting infected with the virus.
Emotionally it is difficult, says Kleijer. "One of the worst moments is when people die when they arrive here. Often with family and then you get their grief too."
"But what I find the weirdest is that I talk with patients that I know they are dead a few days later."
NOS.nl
"Ebola patients sent away"
Wednesday Aug 27 2014
"We have staff at the gate who do nothing but turn away people. This is not easy, because we don't know where they could go," said Karline Kleijer from MSF.
In West Africa, the Ebola epidemic is still spreading rapidly. To help patients MSF opened an emergency clinic last week in the Liberian capital Monrovia. After four days the clinic was full.
Currently there are about 200 patients in the clinic. According Kleijer that could have been more than 600 already if they had opened the doors. That can not be, because so many people infected with Ebola would be a danger to the employees of MSF.
Not administered
Because there are not enough emergency clinics and regular healthcare is not functioning most Ebola patients can not be administered. Therefore, the clinic expanded by another dozen beds. But even that is not enough. "We know there are thousands of patients walking in the street, infecting other people," says Kleijer.
According to her, there are not enough resources to detect the contacts of the patients. Thereforepeople who are also infected can not be identified . " The houses of patients must be decontaminated. It will not happen."
emotional
The work of the rescuers is heavy. It is very hot in the suits that they need and there is always the risk of getting infected with the virus.
Emotionally it is difficult, says Kleijer. "One of the worst moments is when people die when they arrive here. Often with family and then you get their grief too."
"But what I find the weirdest is that I talk with patients that I know they are dead a few days later."
NOS.nl
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