LSTM’s Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health (CMNH) is continuing to carry out its life-saving work to reduce maternal and newborn deaths in Sierra Leone and Nigeria despite the current Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. Sierra Leone in particular has been badly hit by the virus, and in response CMNH appealed to some of their suppliers to donate vital equipment to protect health workers in the region.
Sierra Leone has already seen the death of over 80 health care workers due to Ebola, but dedicated staff continue to assist in the effort to bring the virus under control. One of CMNH’s suppliers, SP Services, last week donated face masks, alcohol hand rub and 2,000 pairs of medical gloves to health workers in the field.
The items were presented last week to Dr Lynda Foray at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Dr Foray is the Programme Manager for Reproductive Health/Family Planning, and it is hoped that the donation will help to protect staff and patients from infection by Ebola.
The CMNH teams based in Freetown and Liverpool are continuing to work with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and UNICEF to support maternal care during the Ebola outbreak.
Susan Jones, CMNH’s Technical Lead for Sierra Leone, said: “These are incredibly difficult times for health workers in West Africa, and the staff that we work with in Sierra Leone are determined to continue to do all that they can to ensure that women are able to have their babies in the safest environment possible. We are grateful to SP Services for their donation of these vital supplies.”