Guinea adopts stern measures against opponents of anti-Ebola war
Xinhua, January 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
Guinea's Prime Minister Mohamed Said Fofana has announced stern measures against opponents to anti- Ebola war, especially in Coyah prefecture, 50 km from Conakry, where resistance to anti-Ebola teams has been witnessed recently.
Some of the measures announced over the weekend will include prosecution of those who hide patients from medical teams or those who hold medical missions hostage.
The prime minister said "the stubbornness of some citizens and the denial of existence of Ebola virus had slowed down the government and its partners in the fight against the disease."
He urged religious leaders, parliamentarians, civil servants in Coyah and local elected leaders to work together and support the fight against Ebola which has so far claimed so many lives.
The reluctance to cooperate with the medical teams which had been witnessed in the southeast parts of the country that had been the epicenter of the disease, is now being seen in the Basse Guinea region.
Last week, anti-Ebola teams were physically attacked in Dubreka locality, 50 km from Conakry.
Before the weekend announcement, the government had not been tough on those who impeded the work of anti-Ebola missions and most analysts believe the prime minister's announcement will help to end resistance across the national territory.
To date, 1,504 deaths have been reported out of 2,477 Ebola cases that have been confirmed in Guinea. Endi