Southern African Network of Nurses and Midwives (SANNAM) urge SADC countries to practicalise commitment made by SADC health ministers concerning Ebola Media statement Wednesday, 13 August 2014 The Southern African Network of Nurses and Midwives (SANNAM) would like to urge all 15 countries in the SADC region to commit in practice to the pledge made by health ministers of SADC countries on Wednesday to put urgent preventative measures in place for Ebola, as failure to do so is likely to put in huge danger the lives nurses who are the first health professionals to be exposed to the virus. In their emergency meeting on Wednesday in South Africa, among others, health ministers from the region committed their countries to identify and commit additional financial resources to support the outbreak preparedness and facilitate the exchange of information, and that countries should identify facilities where Ebola would be treated. SANNAM is pleased to hear that South Africa will be sending a team of four health professionals to assist in the outbreak of the virus either in Liberia or Sierra Leon to on the 17th of this month, because we may need the assistance of health professionals from West Africa if there were to be an outbreak in the SADC region. While the meeting agreed that South Africa should be the centre of excellence in Ebola diagnosis for the SADC region, SANNAM is concerned that the dire shortage of equipment, resources and non-functional equipment in many health facilities in the region may worsen matters if the Ebola outbreak could find its way into the region. “We note with great concern that more than 900 people have succumbed to the virus already, and that the virus is showing symptoms of escalation,” says Chairperson of SANNAM, Bheki Mamba. “We emphasize the issue of the great need to supply preventive equipment for health personnel and provision of isolation rooms for patients in the health centres across the region, because the absence of these is what makes the virus to escalate, and sadly nurses and doctors are some of the personnel in greater risk,” he says. SANNAM calls on governments to monitor the implementation of the pledge and commitment made at the emergency meeting to ensure that indeed, practically, preventative measures are being put in place as a preparation for the outbreak. As sharing of information was highlighted in the meeting as the one need to capacitate citizens in the region, SANNAM would like to urge citizens in the 15 countries to observe the following consistent symptoms in their bodies and visit their nearest health centres as early as possible, because the earlier the Ebola virus is diagnosed the earlier the preventative measures will be applied by health workers: • Fever • Headache • Joint and muscle aches • Weakness • Diarrhea • Vomiting • Stomach pain • Lack of appetite In some cases, some people may experience: • A Rash • Red Eyes • Hiccups • Cough • Sore throat • Chest pain • Difficulty breathing • Difficulty swallowing • Bleeding inside and outside of the body The virus is not spread through the air; it is transmitted to another person’s body through handling blood, saliva, vomit, semen or any other body fluid. For as long as your body does not touch any of the body fluids of a person diagnosed positively of Ebola, you are safe. End Issued by Southern African Network of Nurses and Midwives (SANNAM) For more information, contact: SANNAM Chairperson, Bheki Mamba (based in Swaziland): Mobile: 00 268 761 24086
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:35:59 +0000
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