MONROVIA, December 22 (LINA)-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed appreciation to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Tom Frieden, for the role the institution has played in the fight against Ebola in the country.
According to an Executive Mansion release, during a meeting held at her Foreign Ministry office on Friday, December 19, President Sirleaf briefed the CDC delegation about the current state of the fight against the deadly Ebola virus in the country.
“The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been there with us at the time all hope seemed to have been lost. You stood as a true partner and helped turn the scourge around for the good of the country, the Mano River Union Basin and the global community,” President Sirleaf stressed.
She told the delegation that the focus will now change from treatment to prevention and that the government is now keen on strengthening its regular healthcare system with strong infection control measures.
She also encouraged partners to work with the government in strengthening the regular healthcare system.
“We have heard and do encourage the concept of establishing an African Center for Disease Control that puts the continent in charge when there are future outbreaks anywhere on the continent. A National Public Health Institute for Liberia as being suggested is also a welcome development,” she said.
LINA