NURSES: Why we must help fight the ebola epidemic

Health care workers who volunteer to work with Ebola patients should be commended, not criticised.

But instead Federal MP Bob Katter has taken aim at these amazing people. Mr Katter unfairly claims that returning aid workers are putting Australians “at risk” by travelling to West Africa to help the victims of the virus.

Already, almost 4,000 people have lost their lives to the Ebola virus, which is sweeping countries, such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia and Senegal.

And there’s no end in sight.

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Unfortunately, these countries lack the healthcare expertise and the necessary resources for the treatment and management of the deadly virus. They simply cannot cope with what has become a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.

In Australia, we have highly-educated healthcare professionals who can provide the appropriate care and quarantine procedures for people who have been in contact with infectious diseases like Ebola.

Australian nurses have a long, proud history of travelling overseas to join international relief efforts in times of great need. This is one of those times.

It’s crucial that the Australian Government give more support to the fight against the growing Ebola virus.

Sincerely,

 

Lee Thomas
Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation