Celebrating the First Ebola Survivor in the Sinje ETU Liberia


Isatu was all smiles as she crossed over into the green zone and the team burst into applause. The excitement of the staff at the IOM-managed Ebola treatment unit (ETU) in Sinje was palpable. “This is our first survivor. We are overjoyed that she is cured and walking out of the ETU,” Dr Wasambla, the Medical Coordinator explains.
“Today marks one of the happiest days of my life,” says Mohamed, a hygienist at the ETU who is emotional as he explains his relationship with Isatu. “I brought her up. She has been my daughter and she was staying with me until 2009 when she went to her biological father.”
Isatu was transferred from the Island Clinic ETU in Monrovia to join and care for her daughter admitted at the treatment facility in Sinje. Following treatment, she now leaves as the first Ebola survivor from Grand Cape Mount County’s only treatment unit.
“They treated me fine. They encouraged me and joked with me so I could be happy. They used to play with my daughter. They gave me medicine and I used to eat four times a day,” Isatu remarks.
As a survivor, Isatu is now able to wear light protective gear and return to the ward to care for her daughter. To equip her for this, the Infection Prevention and Control Supervisor trained her to observe the protocols and keep everyone safe.
Follow Isatu as she leaves the confirmed ward on her first day as an Ebola survivor.
By Sandra Tumwesigye IOM