In Sierra Leone, located far from Korean shores, a total of 24 Korean rescue workers have been helping patients who are infected with the deadly Ebola virus. They have been dispatched to the area in three different phases.
Since the first batch of rescue workers departed Korea in December, the follow-up groups have been sent to Goderich, a town near Freetown, the capital. Now, the second batch of rescue workers are taking care of Ebola patients at a clinic in Goderich, facing the risk of infection every day.
In late December 2014, rescue workers were shocked by a frightful incident. It was totally unexpected and it was also a moment when fear and despair swept down on them. A rescue worker accidentally had a syringe brush across his finger. The team of workers first tried to calm him and then held a meeting to discuss how to respond to this incident.
The next day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to transfer the worker to a hospital in Germany. Before leaving for Sierra Leone, rescue workers were given a manual explaining how to respond to emergency situations. However, they did not expect that such an emergency, as mentioned in the manual, would actually occur. In the end, they breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the news that the result of every Ebola infection test came back negative.
At the clinic, there have been moments of life and death. Some patients were happy to see their health recover, while others expressed sorrow after losing all of their family to Ebola. When patients recover from the disease and are discharged from the clinic, medical and rescue workers line up to cheer for them.
The third batch of rescue workers departed Korea on February 11. They are expected to arrive in Sierra Leone, via Paris, on February 12. They will be assigned to support medical professionals at the Goderich clinic. The second batch of rescue workers, who are now working at the clinic, will return home on February 23.
Sierra Leone is expected to make an "Ebola free" announcement on March 1.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
jun2@korea.kr
Since the first batch of rescue workers departed Korea in December, the follow-up groups have been sent to Goderich, a town near Freetown, the capital. Now, the second batch of rescue workers are taking care of Ebola patients at a clinic in Goderich, facing the risk of infection every day.
Emergency workers look after Ebola patients in Goderich, Sierra Leone. They always wear protective clothing and gear to prevent potential infection.
In late December 2014, rescue workers were shocked by a frightful incident. It was totally unexpected and it was also a moment when fear and despair swept down on them. A rescue worker accidentally had a syringe brush across his finger. The team of workers first tried to calm him and then held a meeting to discuss how to respond to this incident.
The next day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to transfer the worker to a hospital in Germany. Before leaving for Sierra Leone, rescue workers were given a manual explaining how to respond to emergency situations. However, they did not expect that such an emergency, as mentioned in the manual, would actually occur. In the end, they breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the news that the result of every Ebola infection test came back negative.
At the clinic, there have been moments of life and death. Some patients were happy to see their health recover, while others expressed sorrow after losing all of their family to Ebola. When patients recover from the disease and are discharged from the clinic, medical and rescue workers line up to cheer for them.
Rescue workers are dispatched to a clinic in Goderich, Sierra Leone.
The third batch of rescue workers departed Korea on February 11. They are expected to arrive in Sierra Leone, via Paris, on February 12. They will be assigned to support medical professionals at the Goderich clinic. The second batch of rescue workers, who are now working at the clinic, will return home on February 23.
Sierra Leone is expected to make an "Ebola free" announcement on March 1.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
jun2@korea.kr
