TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Kingdom (UK) government has dispatched more medical assistance into Sierra Leone as part of its emergency medical operation aimed at helping thousands of affected patients in the region. This endeavor also seeks to combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus that has ravaged West Africa since the beginning of the year.
Britain's Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, said Thursday that more medical supplies from the UK for Sierra Leone have landed in Freetown.
"This is the 10th medical aid dispatch from the UK, which contains the first batch of medications that include morphines and antibiotics from the UK for the 92 bed treatment facilities in Kerry Town, whose construction are nearing completion," said Greening in a statement, as quoted by KUNA.
The cargo includes an important chiller van, which is crucial for transporting heat-sensitive medication that might be affected by the 40+ degree Celsius temperatures in the area. There are also five additional vehicles that will be used to ensure that the cargo safely makes its way to the six treatment centers that are being built by Britain to help combat the Ebola virus, said the statement.
Greening said that her country is mounting a huge response against the Ebola outbreak, and the tenth dispatch contains hundreds of tons of supplies to be distributed through Britain's medical treatment centers in the area, which will be able to treat up to 8,000 patients in six months.
"I have just recently seen the extent of the outbreak in Freetown, and the centrality of UK's role in assisting Sierra Leone to combat the deadly virus," added Greening.
To date, the UK has dispatched 58 ambulances, 75 water tanks, three incinerators for disposing infected clothing and materials, 12 generators, protective clothing, chlorine for sanitation, WC facilities, makeshift tent storage, 14 air conditioning units, and isolator equipment.
ANTARA
