S. Africa dispatches more health workers to Ebola-affected countries

South Africa, in collaboration with the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), is sending 23 health workers to Ebola affected countries, it was announced on Monday.

The health workers, including 20 nurses and three paramedics, are expected to depart Johannesburg for Sierra Leone on Friday, said Wynne Musabayana, Deputy Head of Communication and Information of the African Union Commission.

The health workers underwent two days of preemployment training given by the African Union and South African Ministry of Health officials, Musabayana said in a statement.

On arrival in the affected countries, the health workers will undergo further intensive training for two weeks before embarking on their duties, Mysabayana said.

African Union Commissioner of Social Affairs, Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko commended the South African government for sending health workers, saying that the 835 African medical personnel so far deployed by ASEOWA have impacted positively in reducing both new infections and deaths from Ebola.

"We are very proud that, together with the governments of AU member states, we are finding solutions to African challenges by Africans. By representing South Africa on the mission, you will also be representing the African Union and Africa in general. I am very sure that you will acquit yourselves very well and continue to make a positive impact."

This deployment is the second for South Africa, following an independent deployment on Jan. 23. The first group is stationed at the Goderich Emergency Ebola Treatment Center on the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Since their arrival, the South Africans have already seen six discharges and lost two patients.

The healthcare professionals stay in the country for six months of service in AU supported treatment sites and when they return to South Africa they will undergo three weeks of observation before they can resume normal duties.

"Whilst thankfully Ebola cases are decreasing, the South African effort implemented by Right to Care and supported by South African business and the African Union are able to address Ebola 'fatigue'," South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said.

South Africa's involvement which began last year has been extensive and has included mobilizing both a domestic response to prevent the entry of Ebola into South Africa as well as an external health and humanitarian assistance program to support affected countries.

The South African Department of Health mobilized cash and in- kind contributions amounting to almost 60 million rand (about five million U.S. dollars). This has included setting up a diagnostic laboratory which has tested more than 6,000 specimens of those suspected of Ebola infection. The laboratory teams rotate every five weeks and are also training local personnel.

South Africa has also provided 16,000 protection suits and sent ambulances, scooters, drugs, generators, autoclaves for sterilization and food. Endi