Wrangling over Ebola messaging...

At the request of the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lewis Brown, and the Ministry of Health... the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, African Governance Initiative and Internews (me) spent the weekend putting together a national campaign to rid Liberia of Ebola. Yes... a daunting task.

But, here's the plan... Imagine... If everyone in the country did this stuff we'd be Ebola free. Wow...

Today, December 8, 2014, President Sirleaf launched the campaign in a small community called "New Georgia" on the outskirts of Monrovia. The community has come together to identify sick people, help quarantine folks including giving them food, water and encouragement, and getting sick people to treatment centres. This community is a success... and have reported no new cases of Ebola in over 2 months.

As the disease progresses, the strategies to fight the disease have to change... Now, as Liberia reports between 8-15 cases a day, it's become a community-driven fight - door-to-door - to eliminate the last case... because even one case means the battle is not over.

Ebola Must Go

Stopping Ebola is Everybody’s Business

EVERYBODY must:

Speak out if you know of a sick person

• ·      Always call 4455 and tell your community leader
• ·      Do not hide sick people
• ·      Do not let others hide sick people

Bury all dead bodies safely

• ·      Allow only trained people to handle a dead body
•     Do not touch, bathe or bury a dead person. Do not hide dead people
• ·      Families can still pray and make decisions about the funeral – the only rule is never touch a dead body

Keep sick people away from others

• ·      Do not touch sick people or things they have used
• ·      Keep them in their own area and stay 4 steps away
• ·      Get the person treatment quick quick – call 4455 and tell your community leader

Help find everyone who touches a sick person

• ·      Anyone who touched a sick person is a “Contact” who could have Ebola
• ·      Help health workers find these “Contacts”
• ·      If you touch a sick person, stay home and tell your community leader

“Contacts” must stay to one area with food and water

• ·      Anyone who touches a sick person must stay to their area for 21 days
• ·      Make sure these “Contacts” do not run away
• ·      Give them food and water and encourage them – talk to your community leader

Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your community

(These messages are approved by the IMS Messaging and Materials Sub-Committee).