Ebola is our fight, Africa...Wake up!

Since the recent spread of the Ebola disease to America, there have been a lot of attacks on the American government in particular and the Western world in general for not acting on time to help contain further spread of the deadly disease. While I too had made similar statements in the past…I began thinking a lot about this Ebola outbreak today and I can’t help but ask: what have our African presidents, governments, doctors, scientists, and even charity organizations really contributed to the Ebola fight?

In Liberia and Sierra Leone, there are Western doctors, nurses, humanitarian workers and other personnel on ground, treating and caring for the sick. Every day, they put their own lives on the line in the process. Do we forget that the very first non-Africans who contracted the disease were two American doctors who went to Liberia to extend a helping-hand to the sick? They didn’t have to, but they chose to. A few weeks ago, I read that Cuba sent a plane load of personnel including doctors to the region. Cuba isn't even considered part of the Western world, is it?...dunno much about geography. Britain has joined the cause too.

A couple of days ago, Obama announced that troops are being sent to Liberia including a team of engineers etc to help build treatment facilities in the area.  Well meaning non-Africans have recently donated millions of dollars to help fund research for possible cures notably Mark Zuckerberg and I think Bill Gates did too. Even the news we receive about the disease is primarily from Western media.  Some of their journalists have gone to the towns/villages where the outbreak is heaviest to bring us stories, at the risk of getting infected. How many of our own reporters are doing this?

I truly believe the West has done its best and…we must give them the credit deserved. If we feel they haven’t done enough, I can’t imagine what they must think of our own governments’ contribution, or lack thereof.

Nigeria was recently lauded for successfully containing the virus in the country. While this is a great feat for the nation, I must ask: what offer of help did our government extend to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea? I haven’t heard or read of any. Let's lay aside the fact that Ebola spread to Nigeria via a Liberian. Same happened in America but they've nonetheless extended a helping-hand to that country to tackle the disease.

I believe that there’s so much Nigeria and other African countries can do. Those countries not affected could send doctors/nurses to the area, or send supplies of protective gear and gloves for the personnel…surely they must need a huge supply of these. How about sending them supplies of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) solution which is what is given to Ebola patients. Reports have it that about 83 new Ebola cases are recorded in Liberia every other day (or so)…so I’m guessing hospitals there might likely not have enough ORT to go round. African governments/scientists can unite and setup research centers where studies can be done to find a possible cure. In Liberia, there is a growing shortage of food due to the closure of its borders...the country imports most of its food. Some other African countries could decide to fly in food supplies to help those in need. No aid would be deemed too small in times like these.

What about our wealthy business men/women/pastors/churches? How about our corrupt politicians who have millions of stolen money sitting pretty in their bank accounts. What donations to the cause are all these making? If any, why isn’t it being made known to the world?

Oh and what have you and I done?
You may think there’s nothing you can do…but there is always something. You can decide to give financial support to any charity you know is directly working in the affected areas. Infact, I'll do some findings/research about that and see if I too can contribute...no matter how small. If not this, you can do something that won’t cost anything but a bit of your time: you can pray. You can pray for the people caring for the Ebola patients; they need God’s strength and protection. You can pray for those who have lost loved ones to the disease: children who are now orphans, women who are now widows, men who are left with babies to care for because their wives are dead. Pray for God’s comfort, succor, and peace to help them go on without those they love. Prayer changes things. Every prayer counts. That's the least we all can do.

The harsh truth is that if as a continent, we don't seem to care for our own people, why should we even expect the rest of the world to respond quickly to us? Let's stop castigating the West.

Ebola is our fight, Africa...wake up!!

I think I’ve said enough!!!

I’m off to Google to make those findings I stated earlier. I’ll keep you posted!!