Ebola Update: Interview with Monrovia Medical Centre Administrator
Quendi Appleton, age 38, grew up in SOS Children’s Village Monrovia in Liberia. She and her four siblings found a lasting home in the village after both parents died. Quendi was an above-average pupil and had early ambitions to become a nurse.
Today, it is this woman who manages the SOS medical centre in Monrovia—still operating 24 hours a day. Her ability to deal with emergencies was clear during Liberia’s horrific civil war. She was on her feet for up to 13 hours a day, every day, to help children in this very clinic.
Now, she and the team at the medical centre provide care to fellow Monrovians who have very few places to turn to for medical treatment whilst the country battles the most severe Ebola outbreak to date—so extreme that it is declared a threat to Liberia’s national existence. The SOS medical centre in Monrovia, Liberia is still open to the public and operating on a 24-hour basis, and is one of few medical facilities in the country to do so.
Quendi speaks frankly about what the staff are seeing and dealing with at the medical centre.
The Ebola Virus Disease death toll is dramatically rising, yet there are other diseases that still kill many people, especially children, in Liberia. What are the consequences of so many clinics and health centres being closed in Monrovia and across the rest of the country at this difficult time?
The situation is very difficult. Yes, of course we still have other diseases like malaria, as well as typhoid and pneumonia. Everyone is overloaded. The Ministry of Health is overstretched. At our clinic we have been able to continue to manage the treatment of other illnesses.
How many patients is the SOS clinic currently treating on a daily / weekly basis? How many children are among them?
We treat between 50 and 60 people every day. Of the 50 to 60 people, we treat about 30 to 40 children every day. Most of them come because of cases of high fever, malaria, typhoid and pneumonia, among others.
In how many cases were Ebola infections suspected at the Medical Centre so far?
In total so far, we have had about 30 to 40 suspected cases.
In how many cases was Ebola confirmed and were patients transferred to an Ebola treatment centre?
Once we have a suspected case, we call a team from the Ministry of Health, who is in charge of handling Ebola. The Ministry of Health team takes the patients to designated Ebola centres. From the suspected cases we have referred, about 19 patients have tested positive.
How many children are among them?
As of Thursday, 11 September, three children had been confirmed positive.
Have any critical situations occurred during the last few weeks at the Medical Centre?
Yes, we received a patient with Ebola symptoms. As usual, we immediately called the Ministry of Health team to arrange the transfer. Owing to the severe workload of the Ministry of Health, by taking the necessary precautions while he was still at our clinic. Unfortunately, the patient died.
Are there long queues of patients in front of the gate?
There are many people coming for treatment. However, we don’t allow people to wait in queues, as it is a risk to be around those who may have Ebola. Patients are screened one by one. Sometimes, patients can wait for one to two hours before they get treatment.
How do co-workers cope with the extreme pressure and risk of infection? What gives them motivation?
Our management team is very supportive. They are always present at the clinic, talking to the staff and encouraging them to keep up the good work. In addition, we were really motivated by the Personal Protective Equipment we received two weeks ago. At the same time, our biggest challenge is that we are at risk of running out of the Personal Protective Equipment.
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