Candid assessment of US response to the ebola crisis at home and abroad by African Views

Candid Assessment of U.S. Response to the Ebola Crisis at Home and Abroad

LINKING TRANSFORMATIVE STRATEGIES WITH CULTURAL HARMONY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE AND AV Teleforum brings people and experts from MEDIA all over the world together to discuss adverse issues affecting societies in order to advocate understanding as well as encourage and generate ideas for sustainable solutions.

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African Views thanks all participants and audience for making this date special in the tenure of AV Teleforum, and for us -- a day to be remembered, Thank you!

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CONVENOR: PADMINI MURTHY M.D., M.P.H., M.S., CHES

MODERATOR: REGINA ASKIA WILLIAMS, RN

STEERING COMMITTEE: MRS. SENAIT ADMASSU DR. DOUGBEY CHRIS NYAN DR. EZI MECHA

PRODUCER & DIRECTOR: MR. WALE IDRIS AJIBADE

FEATURING REPRESENTATIVES FROM GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES, US POLITICIANS, INVENTORS, ECONOMISTS, CIVIL SOCIETY, CARE GIVERS, PHYSICIANS, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, EBOLA SURVIVORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM AFRICAN COMMUNITIES. This report was a collaborative effort of the following entities: Millennium Development Goals on AVTELEFORUM | African Health Dialogues (AVTELEFORUM) | African Community Public Health Coalition | Diaspora Liberian Emergency Response Task Force on the Ebola Crisis

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INVITED DIGNITARIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Kathleen Austria, Jonta Williams, Dr. Aileen Marty, Professor, Dr. Paula Tavrow, Dr. Thambiah Sundaram, Dr. Julius Garvey, , Jason Small, Nancy Lindborg, Dr. Beth Bell, Dr. Charles Senessie, Dr Oladipupo Sule, Dr. Vamsi Vasireddy, Dr. Robert Amler, Dr.Shelley Ross, Gill Bodog, Dr.

GOVERNMENT Senator Cory Booker, Mayor Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Gayle Smith, Congress Woman Yvette Clarke, Senator Bill Perkins, Council Woman Karen Bass, Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia, ECONOMISTS INTELLIGENCE Dr. Katch Ononuju, Tunji Koko Baoku, Wale Idris Ajibade FAITH BASED/CIVIL SOCIETY Mark Ridely-â&#x20AC;&#x2039;Thomas, Dr. Prosper Ateba Bouli, William Verdone, Chris Okafor, Dr. Ezi Mecha, Evelyn Joe, Wilson Wang, Dr. Orland Bishop, Senait Admassu

Padmini Murthy M.D., M.P.H., M.S., CHES

Dr Padmini (Mini) Murthy, Associate Professor in Health Policy and Management and Family and Community Medicine and Global Health Director is a physician and an activist who did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has practiced medicine and public health for the past 25 years in various countries. She is the NGO Alt Representative of Medical Women International Association to the United Nations, and Committee of the NGO CSW Committee of NY at the United Nations. Read more

Regina Askia-Williams is a Nigerian-born, Americanbased registered nurse (RN), healthcare and educational activist, television producer, writer and public speaker, and widely known Nigerian actress and model. Askia- She is the host of African Health dialogues, an AV Teleforum which examines health issues on the African continent. Askia is also a contributor to the "Saturday Clinic" series in the Nigerian newspaper This Day. Read more

Regina Askia Williams, RN

Mrs. Senait Admassu is the founder of the African Communities Public Health Coalition (ACPHC), a Los Angeles based nonprofit organization. Ms. Admassu is extensively recognized for her expertise. She assisted the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) African/ African America (AAA) Under Represented Ethnic Population (UREP) subcommittee in assessing mental health service provision in the African Communities. Ms. Admassu currently serves on the LACDMH AAA-UREP subcommittee as a cultural broker.

Senait Admassu

Dougbeh-Chris Nyan, M.D. is medical doctor and a biomedical research scientist of Liberian origin. Dr. Nyan specializes in infectious disease diagnostics. His expertise focuses on developing simple and rapid diagnostic tests for detecting bloodborne infections/pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis E virus, Dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya virus. Dr. Nyan is currently a scientist at the Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens of the Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He recently testified to US House committee on Ebola alongside Dr. Brantly

Dougbeh Chris Nyan, M.D.(Inventor/ Research Scientist at NIH)

Dr. Ezi Mecha is the founder & CEO of World Ebony Network, a nonprofit organization, formed to promote the good aspects of Afro-centric practices as a way to strengthen the African family and appreciate the good aspects of other cultures. She has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar providing technical support to US troops . She is currently working on Ebola humanitarian effort to collect medical supplies and ship them to affected areas in West Africa. Dr. Ezi Mecha

Dr. Vamsi Vasirredy

Dr. Vamsi Vasireddy is currently assigned as a Senior Health Advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) based in Tanzania. Prior to this position, Vamsi served as the Principal Investigator for a project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen access to antimalarial medicines across ten countries in Africa and Asia. Vamsi has the distinction of designing and implementing the first comprehensive health systems strengthening framework for Liberia, and conducting the first health systems assessment of district health departments in Israel. Vamsi has worked for multiple donors such as USAID, CDC, DHHS, European Union, and UKAID. Vamsi is a medical doctor with advanced degrees in public health. While not working in multiple countries and volunteering for public health organizations, he likes to travel and explore history and various global cuisines.

Robert W. Amler, MD, MBA is vice president for government affairs at NYMC and the dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice, and Institute of Public Health. He is the former regional health administrator for the US Department of Health and Human Services, where he secured $260 million in Medicaid supplemental for New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.

Robert W. Amler, MD, MBA

A 25-year veteran of the US Public Health Service, Dr. Amler oversaw more than 100 field investigations of infectious diseases and environmental chemical exposures throughout the United States and has served as advisor to the US Surgeon General and EPA Administrator on a broad range of medical, environmental, and health policy issues. He is a practicing physician, boardcertified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine.

Paula Tavrow, PhD, MSc, Program in Population and Reproductive Health and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Community Health Sciences Department at the UCLA School of Public Health. She also serves as Coresearch interests center on adolescent reproductive health, coerced sex, early marriage, domestic violence and the quality of primary health care in Africa. Prior to coming to UCLA in 2002, Dr. Tavrow was the Deputy Research Director for the USAIDfunded global Quality Assurance Project (1997-2001). She oversaw eleven operations research projects to improve the Paula Tavrow, PhD, MSc, quality of rural health services in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Dr. Tavrow also has served as a MALD health advisor and researcher at the University of Malawi Read more

Dr. Shelley Ross is a Family Physician in Canada with an President of her provincial medical association, the British Columbia Medical Association. She is a past president of MWIA and the Federation of Medical Women of Canada. She began her work with MWIA as a Young Forum member at the MWIA Congress in Vancouver in 1984.

Dr. Shelley Ross

Dr. Thambiah Sundaram

Dr. Thambiah Sundaram has been involved in public health research for many years. He with his wife, Dr. Nalini Sundaram, a microbiologist have established a medical device company and a laboratory in the United States. In that lab, they have developed the first mail in spore test kit in the world used for validating all types of sterilizers in the health care facilities. This medical device is also used by the University of California Los Angeles for testing of their sterilizers in their dental school and their health departments. In response to the pervasive allergenic environment, Dr. Sundaram and his group decided to research for a disinfectant that would not cause similar allergies as the existing ones. His goal was to invent one that was both non-allergenic and safe for the environment.. The amazing discovery about this product is, that it can be used across the board in various industries to clean, decontaminate, disinfect and preserve environments affected by the EBOLA VIRUS.

Dr. Katch Ononuju is an Economist and Public Affairs Analyst. He is the Managing Director/ Chief Economist at iordinance, which is into economic consultancy, large scale military hardware supply and security consultancy. He is also a Public Affairs Analyst with a doctorate degree from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science. Interestingly, he is also a politician and chieftain of the ruling PDP. He ran against Olisa Metuh for the position of National Publicity Secretary of the party. Dr. Katch Ononuju

Carmelo was the first minority representative to be appointed to serve as the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Hoboken. The commitment displayed during his tenure created progress and positive change experienced by numerous residents, in addition to the impact his management had for taxpayers, the underprivileged, seniors, disabled persons and children. In 2007, Garcia left his position as Hoboken Director of Health and Human Services when he was hired as deputy director at the Hoboken Housing Authority. He was selected after a national selection process that brought in hundreds of candidates. In May 2009, Mr. Garcia was appointed as executive director of the very same housing authority where he grew up Driven, Assemblyman Carmelo G. Disciplined, Determined and Diligence.

Garcia, MSIS

DR OLADIPUPO S. SULE

Obtained his medical practice license from the University of Lagos, College of Medicine in 1985. He worked in various hospitals and in 1991, he established Lafia Hospital which has grown to become a Group of Hospitals with 2 locations in Ibadan municipality of Oyo State. In 2007, he established a health Insurance company called Nonsuch Medicare Limited which is duly accredited by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cater for the health care needs of individuals and corporate organizations nationwide. The company has over 300 hospitals under its network nationwide to cater for the health care needs of the citizens. He is currently the Managing Director/CEO of Nonsuch Medicare Limited and Chairman Lafia Group of Hospitals. He is an Associate member of the General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria. He has attended various medical courses and seminars both locally and internationally. B.

Founder and Executive Director of African Views Organization and the architect of the AV framework, which includes African cultural exchange program for children, a program that connects classrooms in Africa by age groups with classrooms abroad through Skype as well as the PINK Africa - African Women Advancement transformative project.

Wale Idris Ajibade

He is the director and executive producer of the AV Teleforums which includes, African Health Dialogues, Youth Initiatives, Millennium Development Goals, Green Africa, Culture Diplomats, New Deals, Future of Women. Read more

The Ebola outbreak currently ravaging parts of West Africa is the most severe acute public health emergency in modern times. Never before in recent history has a biosafety level 4 pathogen infected so many people so quickly, over such a wide geographical area, for so long. Since obvious signs of infectious may not be noticeable during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) incubation, which may be 2 21 days, makes it possible for a carrier to cross international borders undetected and increase the risk of transmission as well as posing a global threat. The West African strain of EVD has ravaged Liberia and Sierra Leone since the recent outbreak believed to have begun in Guinea in December 2013. And has reached Mali, Spain, United States of America, United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC*2014), Senegal, and Nigeria.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA After about 5 days. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sudden fever chills muscle aches diarrhea, nausea vomiting Bodily pain mental confusion, jaundice (yellow skin) severe weight loss, bleeding inside and outside the body shock, and multiorgan failure

RETRACING EBOLA TO PATIENT ZERO

Why it's so important to find patient zero?

The Ebola virus is still spreading in West Africa, especially in Sierra Leone, and the number of known cases globally has now exceeded 20,000, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) December 2014.

COST OF MISCONCEPTIONS AND MISINFORMATION The alarmist nature of the American tabloids and cable news is causing anxiety and spreading fear and misinformation about the EVD. Health-â&#x20AC;&#x2039;care costs and illness from the effects of the disease contribute relatively little to its economic impact, according to a World Bank report. Rather, eighty to ninety per cent of the economic effects are due portation systems, including ports and airports, and keeps people away from their jobs. Fear factor about the possible spread of Ebola Virus Diseases within America copulated with the exponential increment in official reported numbers of fatalities in Africa is causing great shift in public perception and law mak ferent responses to the situation across the board. Protests erupted in Spain where a dog named Excalibur who belonged to an Ebola-â&#x20AC;&#x2039;infected nurse was destroyed. In Africa, the story of Ebola is a test of human compassion and a destruction of ways of life. People are not dying because they are ignorant, rather because in spite of the risks involved, they still choose to care for their loved ones. These are people who simply cannot sit and watch their mothers, children, sisters, brothers, fathers, and friends die and do nothing. Many of these people die because they choose love. With hospitals turning patients away and isolation centers in short supply, the choices people have are limited. Women and children carry a greater burden of Ebola scourge.

Ebola fear causes stigma against West Africans

The United Nations' complained about anti-African prejudices arising from the crisis, and warned against ill-conceived quarantine enforcements and discriminatory travel restrictions.

HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL ON THE FRONT LINE The program was dedicated to the brave first responders who met their fates while engaging in collective sacrificial services and effort to save lives and to tame the scourge of the EVD. We owe this people a depth of gratitude for putting the need of others ahead of their own. May peace be with them. THANK YOU!

HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL ON THE FRONT LINE As hospitals in many areas are overstretched , interventions from the three hardest-hit countries, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, clearly stated that international assistance is both greatly needed and fully welcomed. Though part of the job of the caregiver is dispelling misconceptions, yet some US legislators are reacting to public sentiment and enforcing mandatory quarantine on returning Ebola volunteers within their jurisdiction. This can be seen as an effort to secure the public safety, but at the cost of civil liberty. The American Civil Liberties Union was worried that if people going to help in Ebola infected areas are really doing the right thing and are met with hostility, it is not an encouraging signal for those who might wish serve. Volunteer responders deserve gratitude and respect.

So far more than a 1000 people are in quarantine across the US. See quarantine laws

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) AND EBOLA PREPAREDNESS

The virus is spread through body fluids. Body Fluids: • Blood • Vomit • Feces • Urine • Saliva • Breast milk • Sweat • Semen

STRAINS AND CASES OF EBOLA

Six countries have been affected: Outbreak control now focused primarily in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. After 20 cases, Nigeria has had no new cases since September 5, 2014. 1 case in Senegal 1 case in Spain 3 cases in Dallas, Texas 1 case in New York City 1 Case in Glasgow 1. Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BDBV) 2. Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) 3. Reston Ebola virus (RESTV)/ 4. Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV) 5. Ta誰 Forest Ebola virus (TAFV)

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was first identified in 1976, when it first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus is named after the Ebola River, which runs near the Congolese village where one of the first outbreaks happened. Genus Ebola virus is 1 of 3 members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus), along with genus Marburgvirus and genus Cuevavirus. Genus Ebola virus comprises 5 distinct species: BDBV, EBOV, and SUDV have been associated with large EVD outbreaks in Africa, whereas RESTV and TAFV have not. The RESTV species, found in Philip lic of China. The virus causing the 2014 west African outbreak belongs to the Zaire species.

EBOLA TIMELINE IN AMERICA

US GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Since the first cases of Ebola were reported in West Africa in March 2014, the United States has mounted a whole-of-government response to contain and eliminate the epidemic at its source, while also taking prudent measures at home. The President last month outlined a stepped-up U.S. response, leveraging more thoroughly the unique capabilities of the U.S. military to support the civilian -led response in West Africa. Domestically, we have prepared for the diagnosis of an Ebola case on U.S. soil and have measures in place to stop this and any potential future cases in their tracks.

US strategy and Key goals: 1. Controlling the epidemic at its source in West Africa; 2. Mitigating second-order impacts, including blunting the economic, social, and political tolls in the region; 3. Engaging and coordinating with a broader global audience; and, 4. Fortifying global health security infrastructure in the region and beyond, including within the United States

(The White House)

THE PRESIDENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S APPEAL

The President underscored the indispensability of the mission to treat national and international healthcare workers who fall ill with Ebola in their brave service to others. He thanked the members of the Corps as well as their families for taking on this challenge, commenting that, of the 71 officers selected, all of them accepted the assignment, a testament to their selfless service to the nation. Click here to see the Emergency Appropriations Request letter to the Congress.

EMERGENCY FUNDING REQUEST

The Administration asked for $6.18 billion emergency funding request but received $5.4 billion from the Congress to enhance comprehensive efforts to address this urgent situation. To help meet both immediate and longer-term requirements, $4.64 billion is requested for immediate response and $1.54 billion is requested as a Contingency Fund to ensure that there are resources available to meet the evolving nature of the epidemic. Here is the synopsis of how the money should be distributed: • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - $2.43 billion : • • • • •

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - $1.83 billion. Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) - $333 million. $157 million for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) $10 million to aid in modeling and genetic sequencing of the Ebola virus. National Institutes of Health - $238 million. The request includes funding for immediate response for advanced clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational vaccines and therapeutics. • Food and Drug Administration - $25 million.

• U.S. Agency for International Development - $1.98 billion: Department of State - $127 million: • Department of Defense - $112 million: The request includes funding for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

• Contingency Fund: The Administration is requesting $1.54 billion for a Contingency Fund, with $751 million for HHS and $792 million for USAID and the Department of State.

U.S. Department of State Engages African Diaspora Communities on the U.S. Response to the Ebola Crisis In October 2014,

Affairs hosted a conference call with over 200

crisis. Individuals representing Sierra Leone, Liberian, Nigerian, Senegalese and other diaspora communities participated from several states across the country, including Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Arizona. response and listened to their ideas and suggestions about how the government can coordinate with African diaspora communities across the United States. Here are the Q & As Q: How is the United States working with the African Union to combat this epidemic? A: The US is working very closely with the African Union to respond to this epidemic., the need for qualified healthcare workers, trained responders and with up to $10 million in support.

Q: What is being done today to help neighboring countries of the Ebola -affected countries to improve readiness for this disease? A: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is working alongside other government agencies to develop an Ebola Preparedness Strategy

Q: Is there a plan to have a central platform where diaspora members can contribute financially to this effort? A: A list of NGOs working in West Africa is available here. Q: How is the U.S. government engaging African diaspora communities in the United States? A: Agency officials throughout the U.S. government are working together to engage diaspora communities via conference calls, speaker presentations, social media events, and by sharing timely and accurate information about what is

THE WORLD BANK MEETING: A Perspective from the Countries WATCH NOW

SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE EBOLA

A Gap Assessment on Knowledge Study and geographical focus

Dimensions/variables

Methodology

covered

Sector components Model World Bank - Economic impact the -GDP; -fiscal effect/financing which allows experimenting 3 affected countries; short term and gap; -inflation; -investment; with various scenarios (e.g. medium term study capital flight; exchange rate low Ebola and high Ebola)

Results Ebola led to downward revision of the 2014 growth of Liberia (from 5.9% to 2.5%), Sierra Leone (from 11.3% to 8%) and Guinea (from 4.5% to 2.4%). The growth prospects for 2015, respectively, are -4.9%, 3% and 2%.

UNDP (Sierra Leone / Guinea

Economic and social impact

Narrative analysis (Sierra Leone) of several sectors

Multisectoral Consequences

WHO (the affected countries; 9 months of Ebola and projection to November 2014)

Health and health systems (New England J. of Medicine)

Forecasting tools

70.8% fatality rate; If not treated the # of Ebola cases will be 20,000 in all countries.

World Association of Universities West Africa

Impact on higher education

Data from various universities -negative for the higher education sector; for descriptive analysis Knowledge workers are being withdrawn.

The Economist (Ebolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic impact-September 3)

Health, education, trade and growth

GDP declines, food shortage, supply of teachers decreases, decline in savings, investment/capital accumulation

WFP (Rapid Assessment)- Senegal

Trade

Rapid appraisal

50% drop in cross-border trade, fruit and palm oil no longer available on border markets with Guinea

CDC (estimating the scale of EVD)

Prevalence of EVD

Computational and other modelling tools

8,000 cases in S. Leone; `16,000 cases in Liberia; 550,000 cases without intervention; 1.4million by January

FDC (finance derivatives company)- Tourism; Aviation ; Health;

IN-KIND INTEL AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

AFRICAN UNION RESPONSE TO THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN WEST AFRICA MEETING OF MINISTERS OF HEALTH The AU response to Ebola started in April 2014 at the first 1st African Ministers of Health Meeting jointly convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Luanda, Angola. A strong Communiqué and an appeal to Member States with experience in handling Ebola disease to assist were issued. The response was positive. Some AU Member States sent experts to the affected countries. AU AND AUC STAFF MEMBERS PROVIDE FUNDS FOR EBOLA RESPONSE $1, 000 000 was released from the Union’s Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa in August 2014. The use of these funds is determined by the funding agreement with the Member States. DECISIONS OF THE AU PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the AU met at its 450th meeting in Addis Ababa on 19 August 2014, and adopted decisions on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa:

AFRICAN UNION RESPONSE TO THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN WEST AFRICA Two key decisions of the Peace and Security Council were: To authorize the immediate deployment of an AU-led Military and Civilian Humanitarian Mission, comprising medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel, as well as military personnel, as required for the effectiveness and protection of the Mission: and, That the Commission should take, without further delay, the necessary steps to develop a Concept of Operations for the AU Mission, including its logistical, financial and other relevant aspect. The full communiqué of the PSC is available on here and full decisions are available here DECISIONS: • Lifting of travel restrictions • Engagement with media and other key stakeholders • Mobilization of adequate resources • Establishment of an African Center for Disease Control

LESSONS LEARNED As some experts noted, never again can the international community allow what boils down to â&#x20AC;&#x153;market failureâ&#x20AC;? to create such catastrophic suffering for humanity in any country, in any region of the world. The sense of urgency and need for speed, without compromising the integrity of studies or the quality of their data, are fully justified by the dire situation in affected countries and the risk that other countries may soon experience their first imported cases.

Social Consequences

Africa's Integration and Transformation

Decrease on Health Outcomes Incremental Costs to Health Systems

Incremental Dropouts

Reduced School Attendance

Increased Pressure on Health Systems

Intra African and Intercontinental Trade

Incremental Costs to Governments and Society

Migration

Decrease in Educational Outcomes

Economic Consequences

Reduced Outcomes on Social Protection

Household Income, Food and Nutrition

Agricultural Industry Mining Knowledge Transfer / Meetings

Not tending to Regular Pathologies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; malaria, vaccinations, etc.

Changes in Production Patterns

Transport Trade Tourism

Changes in Capital Flows

Gender

Increased Morbidity

Increased Mortality

Increased Labor Absenteeism

Changes in Domestic Consumption Patterns

Changes in International Consumption Patterns

Investment Patterns

Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Cohesion

Stigma

Governance / Security

Risk Perceptions

Uncertainty

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THE OUTBREAK AT SOURCE?

Find: Find and diagnose patients.

Respond: Isolate patients, find and monitor patient contacts.

Prevent: Healthcare infection control, avoid risk factors

In order to Control the epidemic in the hardest hit areas in Africa, the global community must implement tenable or sustainable strategy. The global community must consider establishing well secured global standard emerging infectious diseases research and control centers in selective countries across all regions of Africa.

How will this unprecedented outbreak change globalization trends and the African landscape? Establishing such institutes will help improve global health security capacity in vulnerable countries in preventing, detecting, and rapidly responding to outbreaks before they become epidemics.

• 1 Aug: WHO and the government of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia launched a joint US$ 100 million response plan. • 8 Aug: WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). • 28 Aug: WHO issued a "roadmap" to scale up the international response. • 19 Sep: UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER)established. • 17 Oct: WHO declared Senegal free of Ebola virus transmission. • 20 Oct: WHO declared Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission. • 24 Oct: Mali confirmed its first case of Ebola. • Latest WHO Ebola response roadmap Situation report

What window of opportunity does the Ebola crisis in West Africa presents to improve the goal of global peace and stability?

RISK OF FAILURE The current chaos in Africa presents a great window of new health infrastructure with global standard. The current pledges from various countries provides the much needed seed and the presence of so many health expatriates makes now the best time to implement such an idea. The current situation provides many countries the opportunity to establish own centers, which often ends in self-interest and scrambling for resources leaving regional instability in its wake In the aftermath.

BENEFIT OUTWEIGHTS THE RISK The International community must work together with selective countries in Africa to develop a multi-partners funded operations and integral global network system management of such institutes. An Integral global standard health institute is a real need in Africa and a peace of mind to the rest of the world. We propose to have a follow-up tele-forum on the risks and benefit of establishing such health institutes in Africa.

NOTABLE AND NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTION It is also important to recognize treatment obstacles and the effort that concernedcivilians are making towards the progress in removing those obstacles and stopping Ebola everywhere. DR DOUBEY CHRIS NYAN: Patented a diagnostic tool that can detect Ebola and other infectious diseases in a patient within 30 minutes and looking for funding to develop. His work can help tremendously in controlling transmission and treatment of EVD Ebola. He has been published in the journal of Medicine under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clinical Infectious Diseases.â&#x20AC;? Contact DR SUNDARAM: Invented a non-allergenic and environmentally safe disinfectant capable of decontaminating Ebola residue in dwelling which is key component to control of EVD. Contact DR EZI MECHA: has conducted regular meetings with stakeholders in an effort to determine and assess the real needs on the ground. She has been collecting donations of good, service and funds to support the real need of communities in affected areas. Contact MARK ZUCKERBERG: Creator of FACEBOOK, has personally donated $25 million to CDC and his FACE BOOK has been a lifeline in reporting about Ebola development in affected areas. Thanks!

EXPERIMENTAL EBOLA VACCINES October 2014: Mechanisms for evaluating and sharing data in real time must be prepared and agreed upon and the remainder of the phase 1 trials must be started October November 2014: Agreed common protocols (including for phase 2 studies) across different sites must be developed October November 2014: Preparation of sites in affected countries for phase 2 b should start as soon as possible November

December 2014: Initial safety data from phase 1 trials will be available

January 2015: GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) grade vaccine doses will be available for phase 2 as soon as possible January February 2015: Phase 2 studies to be approved and initiated in affected and nonaffected countries (as appropriate) As soon as possible after data on efficacy become available: Planning for large-scale vaccination, including systems for vaccine financing, allocation, and use.

December 2014: Initial safety data from phase 1 trials will be available

January 2015: GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) grade vaccine doses will be available for phase 2 as soon as possible January February 2015: Phase 2 studies to be approved and initiated in affected and non-affected countries (as appropriate) As soon as possible after data on efficacy become available: Planning for large-scale vaccination, including systems for vaccine financing, allocation, and use.

PROMISING VACCINES Given the public health need for safe and effective Ebola interventions, WHO regards the expedited evaluation of all Ebola vaccines with clinical grade material as a high priority. Two candidate vaccines have clinical-grade vials available for phase 1 pre-licensure clinical trials. One (cAd3-ZEBOV) has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It uses a chimpanzee-derived adenovirus vector with an Ebola virus gene inserted. The second (rVSV-ZEBOV) was developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada in Winnipeg. The license for commercialization of the Canadian vaccine is held by an American company, the NewLink Genetics company, located in Ames, Iowa. The vaccine uses an attenuated or weakened vesicular stomatitis virus, a pathogen found in livestock; one of its genes has been replaced by an Ebola virus gene.

WHERE TO FIND UPDATED INFORMATION ON US RESPONSE USAID is the lead agency for the overall U.S. Response to the Ebola epidemic in west emergency assistance to contain the epidemic, address humanitarian needs and support the recovery of affected countries in the region. Ideas The USAID is calling on the global community to quickly deliver practical and cost-effective innovations that can help healthcare workers on the front lines provide better care and stop the spread of Ebola. Learn more about Fighting Ebola: A Grand Challenge for Development • Medical Volunteers: click here to contact reputable organizations who are active in the Ebola response • introductory safety training course for licensed clinicians intending to work in an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Africa. • care and evacuation of international medical responders. Diaspora Outreach USAID is working to ensure that Sierra Leonean, Liberian, Guinean and other diaspora organizations/individuals in the US are well informed about the US government's response to the Ebola outbreak and how they might be engaged.

signup form for interested individuals and groups who want to receive regular updates from USAID.

Useful links Ebola Crisis Page WHO Ebola Portal UN Global Ebola Response CDC Ebola MEDBOX Ebola Toolbox Ebola alerts on Health Map OpenStreetMap West Africa Ebola Response Ebola Response Anthropology Platform 2014 Ebola Outbreak: Full Coverage of the Viral Epidemic Ebola Response MPTF

African Views Appeal to the World Public Please help mobilize a fresh understand responsibilities in the universal ecosystem and help generate consensus for right action.

What you can do to help? Send a letter to your representatives Start a campaign Raise awareness at your school and community Discuss among your constituencies and follow through

The message is simple : (#africanhealthinstitutes)

Expectation Build sustainable African Health Institutes

What Will It Take? Multi-lateral Negotiation, Multi-Partnership Investment Agreement and Integrated Intelligence Resource Coordination