Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs announced today that Israel is increasing its participation in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus sweeping western Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has authorized MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, to send three mobile emergency clinics to areas in western Africa where there is a risk of infection with Ebola.
The clinics, which were manufactured in Israel, were built in accordance with standards and guidelines of the World Health Organization for the treatment of Ebola. A staff of medical experts will be attached to each clinic, and they will train the local practitioners in the operation of the clinic and its equipment. In addition, staff training will focus on preventing the spread of the disease and raising awareness among populations with high potential for infection.
An Israeli team has already been sent to Cameroon, where it was favorably received by the local authorities. The MFA also sent emergency equipment to the government of Sierra Leone, and in recent weeks shipped personal protection equipment to teams of the African Union.
This is in line with the commitment made last week by Israel’s Ambassador Ron Prosor before the United Nations Security Council:
Israel stands ready to join an international task force to combat the Ebola outbreak. In the meantime, we have sent emergency funding to Sierra Leone and medical supplies to Ethiopia. We have also coordinated with the World Health Organization and sent experts in public health and infectious diseases to Cameroon. They have trained dozens of doctors, nurses and other medical staff from six different hospitals on how to prevent and contain the disease. Israeli NGOs are now preparing to send another team to Sierra Leone.