Monrovia — The National Oil Company of Liberia has stepped up its support towards efforts to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia. The company has now contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash and essential health materials since the outbreak of the virus in Liberia more than six months ago.
The Public Engagement Manager of NOCAL, Mr. Jonathan Sogbie, made the disclosure when the company presented a consignment of assorted food items and clothing to the Ebola Treatment Unit-2 at ELWA and residents of district #6 affected by Ebola. The company also presented similar items to the John F. Kennedy Memorial hospital’s Ebola Treatment Unit.
The NOCAL official said the latest contributions are part of the company’s effort to identify with Liberians during the public health emergency the country is experiencing. “We all need to join the government in eradicating this disease from Liberia,” he urged.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of NOCAL, Mr. Sogbie praised the personal sacrifice health personnel continue to make in helping to save lives. He admonished all Liberians and others residing within the country to adhere to health tips issued by the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare to help contain the virus.
Mr. Sogbie gave the assurance that NOCAL will continue to support government’s efforts aimed at containing the spread of the virus. The head of the ELWA treatment Unit, Dr. Jerry Brown, welcomed the donation by NOCAL and appealed for more medication to help treat patients. He admonished Liberians to continue to support and respect health workers as they perform their duties.
Dr. Brown said the fight against Ebola will only succeed if Liberians follow health, safety measures and demonstrate appreciation towards health workers. He recalled an incident when a doctor working at the Emergency Treatment Unit was evicted from his residence by a landlord for fear that the doctor may infect other tenants. Such behavior, Dr. Brown, cautioned, does not help the fight against Ebola.
Montserrado County Representative, Edwin Snowe, also commended NOCAL for supporting the efforts of the District Task Force in caring for residents quarantined in their homes. The latest presentation by NOCAL brings the oil company’s total contribution towards the Ebola fight to US $ 291,500.00 (two-hundred ninety-one thousand five hundred dollars).
Two weeks ago, NOCAL presented a check for US$ 150,000 towards the Ebola Trust Fund. The company recently presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, worth over US $ 84,000.00 (eighty-four thousand dollars).
NOCAL also contributed US $ 27,500 to help airlift a consignment of essential medical supplies being brought into the country by Chevron-Liberia, Ltd., and its international partner, International Medical Equipment Collaborative (IMEC). The National Task Force has since taken delivery of the items worth more than US$ 240,000. Recently, NOCAL presented several materials to a local Non-Governmental Organization, ‘Feed the Future’, in its effort to tackle the Ebola virus.
