UMass Medical School is leading an initiative to rebuild the health care system in Liberia, funded by a $7.5 million grant from Paul G. Allen Family Foundation’s #TackleEbola campaign, according to a Jan. 23 article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
“It’s just starting to come back,” Patricia McQuilkin, MD, told the Telegram in regard to Liberian health care, in a telephone interview from Liberia. Dr. McQuilkin, clinical associate professor of pediatrics, is one of the lead investigators on the Ebola relief grant, which is focused on re-opening 25 hospitals.
“Some hospitals are not open. . . . Some are in limited capacity,” McQuilkin said.
UMMS is training teams of Liberian health care workers to become experts in safely handling Ebola cases and then dispatching them to train colleagues. The teams of master trainers—to include a Liberian doctor, nurse, midwife, psychologist and sanitation expert—are being dispatched to spend one week at each hospital to train staff on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards for Ebola safety, triage, patient care, sanitation and donning and doffing personal protective equipment.
Read the full story at http://www.telegram.com/article/20150123/NEWS/301239477/1116.
Related links on UMassMedNow:
UMMS leading drive to reopen Liberian hospitals in wake of Ebola
UMMS Ebola Relief effort launched with $7.5M Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant
Ebola free, Rick Sacra continues call for prayers, support for his ‘adopted country’UMass Medical School partners to send Ebola relief to Liberia
UMMS installing modern technology at Liberia’s only med school
Gilroy teaches anatomy in Liberia: Working in brand new lab at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine
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Medical School team rebuilding health care in Liberia
