Providing clinical and operational support during Ebola outbreaks

Background

Between 2014 and 2019, Aspen Medical delivered critical clinical, operational and infection control support during Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Working with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), USAID, the UK Government and the World Health Organization, Aspen Medical helped contain the virus, protect frontline workers and strengthen local health systems. 

In each deployment, Aspen Medical established clinical capability in extremely high-risk, resource-constrained environments, supporting immediate response and building long-term resilience. 

Approach

Aspen Medical rapidly mobilised multidisciplinary teams and established healthcare facilities in remote, volatile settings: 

• In Liberia, Aspen Medical operated up to 14 Ebola treatment units (ETUs) under contract with USAID, deploying 95 expatriate clinical and project staff and employing more than 700 local health workers. 
• In Sierra Leone, Aspen Medical managed a 100-bed Ebola treatment centre, deploying 73 trained clinicians and more than 250 local staff. 
• In the DRC, Aspen Medical deployed infection prevention and control specialists to train local healthcare workers and strengthen infection control protocols. 

Across all locations, Aspen Medical delivered 24/7 admissions and comprehensive care aligned with WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières standards, including strict infection prevention, integrated logistics, workforce training and close collaboration with national health authorities. 

Results

• Aspen Medical treated more than 48,000 patients across Liberia and Sierra Leone, including those with Ebola, malaria, Lassa fever and other communicable diseases. 
• The team admitted 216 patients at the Sierra Leone treatment centre and discharged 36 Ebola survivors. 
• All Aspen Medical clinicians remained safe throughout deployments, reflecting the strength of our infection prevention and control protocols. 
• Aspen Medical developed a psychosocial model of care in Sierra Leone that WHO later adopted as a best-practice framework. 
• Aspen Medical trained more than 700 local health workers, building lasting local capacity. 
• The team established a medical aeromedical evacuation service across West Africa, improving regional healthcare resilience during the outbreak. 

Outcome

Aspen Medical’s work across West Africa and the DRC helped contain the spread of Ebola, protect health workers and support national healthcare systems during an unprecedented public health crisis. 

By rapidly deploying experienced teams, delivering care under strict infection control, and mentoring local healthcare workers, Aspen Medical strengthened frontline response efforts and left a lasting contribution to global health security.