On Christmas Day 2014, I started a 6-week placement at the Australian-flagged Ebola Treatment Centre, managed by Aspen Medical, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I joined about 30 doctors, nurses, environmental health officers, and management and support staff from across Australia and New Zealand, working alongside 120 Sierra Leoneans.
A societal disaster
The West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is a medical and societal disaster. Most patients die, leaving devastated families and communities. EVD spreads by interpersonal contact, so the community prevention message is “Avoid Body Contact”-ABC. However, body contact makes us human, and the ABC protocol is freakish in all cultures. Dramatic community-wide behavior change is needed to control an EVD outbreak.
The EVD outbreak is occurring in West African countries already devastated by ecological, economic and governance crises. Access to food is limited; many people require food aid. Schools have closed, and a generation may never reach their potential. Health care services have collapsed- deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and diarrhea will far exceed deaths from EVD.
Challenges in the Ebola Treatment Centre
Outbreaks of EVD are brutal. The Ebola Treatment Centre assists in controlling the outbreak by isolating patients with EVD infection. A razor wire fence surrounds the treatment centre. Incinerators spew smoke as contaminated clothes, bedding, food and personal belongings are burnt. Controlled access to the treatment centre, and its white, green and red zones, prevents spread of the disease within the centre.
Inside the Ebola Treatment Centre, personal protective equipment (PPE) is conspicuous. This equipment is required for entry to the red zone and is donned under supervision. Scrubs, boots, overalls, double gloves, an apron, an N95 mask, a hood and goggles must cover the entire body. The PPE soon becomes hot and goggles must cover the entire body. The PPE soon becomes hot and goggles fog up, so time in the red zone is limited to 60 minutes. Patient care is restricted by these time limitations and by the PPE itself, which impairs communication and makes the stethoscope useless. Frequent chlorine spraying damages the available medical equipment.
Personal reflections
Despite the Ebola Treatment Centre’s restrictions and the lack of specific treatment for EVD, the work was satisfying. We offered symptom relief, particularly fluids and opiates, along with compassion, counselling and support. We witnessed life and death and celebrated each EVD survivor. The placement gave me insights into how health determinants can be so cruel, yet individuals so inspiring.
Dr Rosalie Schultz was employed by Aspen Medical for a 6-week placement in Sierra Leone and 3 weeks of self-monitoring on return to Australia. Rosalie resumed her usual employment following the self-monitoring period at the Regional Health Services Division, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT.