Sandra Lako: The impact of Ebola in Sierra Leone

Sandra Lako: The impact of Ebola in Sierra Leone

14 Jan, 15 | by BMJ

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Today is the 228th day of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. A year ago I would not have believed anyone who told me that I would be in the middle of an Ebola outbreak in January 2015. A confirmed Ebola case in West Africa never crossed my mind. Even in May of last year, when the first positive case in Sierra Leone was announced, I could not imagine the extent to which this virus would spread throughout Sierra Leone. No one was ready for the battle we are up against.

To date there have been 7696 confirmed cases in the country, affecting people in every district. Still the virus is looming. It has been an incredibly challenging time for Sierra Leone. Life and work for many people has been consumed by this outbreak and sometimes it is hard to remember a time without Ebola.

Ebola is a terrible disease, causing suffering and death, but its effects go far beyond the illness alone.

Ebola has caused an already fragile healthcare system to collapse, with people afraid to access clinics and hospitals for fear of contracting the virus and healthcare workers anxious to provide care for similar reasons. Some health facilities are closed and others only provide outpatient services. This has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality from more common illnesses and gaps in essential health services. Fortunately people’s confidence in the healthcare system is slowly being restored and at the Ola During Children’s Hospital we are experiencing an increase in the number of non-Ebola cases being admitted to the regular wards. Healthcare workers are starting to feel more protected owing to increased access to personal protective equipment and additional training, however, the loss of over 300 healthcare workers in Sierra Leone due to Ebola still weighs heavily on health professionals with many of them often wondering “Who will be next?” In a country with long standing shortages of healthcare professionals these losses will be felt for years to come.

The impact of this outbreak extends much further than the healthcare sector alone. Many children have been orphaned due to this disease. Families have been wiped away. Some survivors are stigmatized and shunned by their communities. Businesses have closed and trade is limited. Primary and secondary schools have been shut for months with children accessing what little education they can by radio or personal tutors at home. It is unlikely that the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences will produce any graduates this year. Farming has come to a halt, leading to food shortages across the country. Every sector and every person is affected by this outbreak.

Thankfully in some parts of the country, the number of cases has significantly reduced. In Freetown, (Western Area) the numbers seem to be stabilizing, but it may still be too soon to tell. There are fewer patients in our holding unit, but that is likely due to the fact that patients are now spread out across more facilities. Even if the number of cases has not dropped, I do know that the number of holding beds for isolation and testing, and treatment beds for confirmed cases have increased considerably over the past few weeks, which is essential for the containment of this virus and breaking the chain of transmission. This gives me hope.

We are all working hard to make sure that this outbreak ends and despite the difficulties, it has been amazing to see the resilience of my Sierra Leonean and international colleagues and the sacrifices that everyone is willing to make in order to achieve a common goal: an Ebola free Sierra Leone.

Read more about Welbodi Partnership’s response to the Ebola outbreak.

Read more about the impact of Ebola on child health.

Competing interests: None.

Sandra Lako is a doctor from the Netherlands who has worked in Sierra Leone for the past nine years. She spent the first half of her time setting up and managing a paediatric outpatient clinic with an organisation called Mercy Ships. She then joined Welbodi Partnership, a UK based charity supporting the only government run children’s hospital in the country. As country director, Sandra is leading the team to expand their work to the maternity hospital and a community hospital with the aim of improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare for women and children in Sierra Leone.

First posted in BMJ Blog on 14th January 2015: http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2015/01/14/sandra-lako-the-impact-of-ebola-in-sierra-leone/

Recruiting a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to build nursing capacity in Sierra Leone

Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to support the well-established nurses’ training office at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The (Paediatric) Nurse Educator will support and mentor the national nurse trainer and help ensure the continuous implementation of high quality in-service training for nurses.  In addition, the (paediatric) nurse educator will help establish a nurse/midwife training office at the neighboring Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) as well as support the newly established Paediatric Nurse Specialist training at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). Please pass the following details on to anyone you think might be interested:

Position: (Paediatric) Nurse Educator

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: April 2015

Duration: (6 to) 12 months

BACKGROUND: Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charitable organisation based at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. For the past five years, Welbodi has worked towards improved paediatric care in the Western Area of Sierra Leone through hospital system development, infrastructural changes, staff training, provision of equipment and community engagement in partnership with ODCH staff, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and the Sierra Leone Institute of Child Health (SLICH).

Welbodi Partnership continues to support healthcare in Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by providing coordination support to the holding unit at the Children’s Hospital while at the same time strengthening the safe provision of ‘routine’ health services (non-Ebola care) in that hospital and other government facilities. WP continues to provide nurse education to hospital staff and will resume the continuing professional development programme in January 2015.

SCOPE OF WORK: Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to support the well-established nurses’ training office at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The (Paediatric) Nurse Educator will support and mentor the national nurse trainer and help ensure the continuous implementation of high quality in-service training for nurses.  In addition, the (paediatric) nurse educator will help establish a nurse/midwife training office at the neighboring Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) as well as support the newly established Paediatric Nurse Specialist training at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). This rewarding position offers a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of human and institutional capacity, crucial for the rebuilding of the health system in Sierra Leone, with a focus in improving maternal, child and newborn health outcomes both during the Ebola outbreak and in the years to come.

Please Note: Due to the urgency, applications will be reviewed as they are received and suitable candidates contacted on an on-going basis. This position is for (6 to) 12 months. At this time, WP can only accept applications from citizens or permanent residents of North America and Europe due to limitations in the complex evacuation process in case of emergency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To support the nurse training office at ODCH, in collaboration with ODCH staff, and provide mentorship to the national nurse trainer and national assistants/mentors
• To set up and support the nurse training office at PCMH, in collaboration with PCMH staff, which includes assisting in the appointment of a national nurse trainer and national assistants/mentors as well as to provide ongoing mentorship
• To ensure that the training environment is adequate and high quality in-service training is provided continuously using officially recognized continuing professional development schemes
• To support ongoing efforts to develop and implement officially recognized continuing professional development schemes, in collaboration with hospital staff and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation
• To maximize the development and capacity building processes through the utilization of the Mentorship Programme and Quality Improvement principles
• To support the Paediatric Nurse training faculty at COMAHS with the roll out of the Paediatric Nurse training course including:
• The development of a competency-based assessment framework for students with theoretical and practical evaluation tools which assess mastery of concepts, skills and attitudes
• Ensuring that theoretical lectures in the classroom are closely linked and aligned with clinical practice in the healthcare facilities and to support the students during their clinical placements
• Facilitating learning in a clinical setting with a specific focus on strengthening learners’ clinical skills, critical thinking ability (including tools for reflective practice and problem solving), ward leadership and management skills using participatory learning processes
• To ensure the safety of self, co-workers, learners, and patients through the application of professional standards and code of ethics and adherence to the national patient and health worker safety guidelines. This may include collaborating with health facilities managers in improving general quality of care, and role modeling how to improve poor practice
• To collaborate with partners such as MOHS, ODCH management, PCMH management, COMAHS, NGOs and professional bodies in Sierra Leone
• To monitor and evaluate all training and mentorship activities, focusing on measurable clinical outcomes and behaviour change amongst nursing staff
• To manage funds secured for nurse/midwifery training activities
• To submit narrative and financial reports to Welbodi Partnership and other partners as required on a quarterly basis
• To undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to skills, experience and ability

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential:

• A recognized qualification in nursing
• A minimum of three years recent experience in a hospital setting
• An additional qualification or significant experience in either paediatric nursing or adult education/clinical mentorship
• Excellent people skills and the ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously within the scope of the role
• Excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
• A good command of the English language (verbal and written) is required
• Flexibility in roles and responsibility is essential

Highly desirable:

• Experience of working and living in a developing country, preferably in West Africa
• Experience in clinical mentorship, quality improvement groups
• Krio or other local language ability

SALARY/BENEFITS: Based on qualifications and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested candidates should email a copy of their CV, cover letter, and a list of three relevant references to jobs@welbodipartnership.org as soon as possible. The job title should be included in the subject line. Your cover letter should include: your country of residence and nationality, your date of birth, dates you are able to commence and duration of availability. Only those applicants shortlisted for an interview will be notified.

Equality and Diversity Statement

The Welbodi Partnership confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of Equal Opportunities in volunteering and employment in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given Equal Opportunities within the organisation. It is the Welbodi Partnership’s policy as an employer to treat all people equally irrespective of race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, creed, disability, age or political belief. Applicants for this position should be aware that if successful, they will be requested to complete a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check, or equivalent in countries other than the UK. The Welbodi Partnership complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. The entirety of the Welbodi Equality and Diversity statement is available upon request.

Recruiting a Project Manager for Hospital Improvements

POSITION FILLED

Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a Project Manager for Hospital Improvements to join the team in Freetown to work in collaboration with MOHS colleagues to improve hospital systems. The Project Manager will coordinate the effective roll out of the hospital IPC project in three government hospitals as well as oversee other health system strengthening and quality improvement projects in the hospitals, including some directly related to the Ebola response as well as some that have an impact on maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes both during the Ebola outbreak and in the years to come. Please pass this on to others who may be interested. Here are the details:

Position: Project Manager - Hospital Improvements

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: January 12^th 2015, immediately

Duration: 6-12 months

BACKGROUND: Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charitable organisation based at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. For the past five years, Welbodi has worked towards improved paediatric care in the Western Area of Sierra Leone through hospital system development, infrastructural changes, staff training, provision of equipment and community engagement in partnership with ODCH staff, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and the Sierra Leone Institute of Child Health (SLICH).

Welbodi Partnership continues to support healthcare in Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by providing coordination support to the holding unit at the Children’s Hospital while at the same time strengthening the safe provision of ‘routine’ health services (non-Ebola care) in that hospital and other government facilities. WP is working with the MOHS and other partners to roll out a national programme to strengthen Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in government hospitals and to ensure that hospitals have the water and sanitation infrastructure necessary to adhere to IPC. The MOHS is establishing Patient Safety committees in each hospital with an appointed IPC focal person, who will be supported by an IPC Mentor. Welbodi will implement this programme in three hospitals in Freetown.

SCOPE OF WORK: Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a Project Manager for Hospital Improvements to join the team in Freetown to work in collaboration with MOHS colleagues to improve hospital systems. The Project Manager will coordinate the effective roll out of the hospital IPC project in three government hospitals as well as oversee other health system strengthening and quality improvement projects in the hospitals, including some directly related to the Ebola response as well as some that have an impact on maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes both during the Ebola outbreak and in the years to come.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the urgency, applications will be reviewed as they are received and suitable candidates contacted on an on-going basis. This position is for 6-12 months. At this time, WP can only accept applications from citizens or permanent residents of North America and Europe due to limitations in the complex evacuation process in case of emergency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To coordinate the roll-out of the hospital IPC project across three hospitals in Freetown, including the national paediatric and maternity referral hospitals, in close collaboration with the MOHS, hospital management, the hospital Patient Safety committee, the IPC Focal Person and all other hospital staff
• To ensure that activities related to the IPC project at the hospitals are carried out successfully, including training of all staff, assessments in the hospitals and adherence to guidelines.
• To ensure responsible and accountable management of financial and material resources related to the project
• To work with MOHS staff to finalize and roll out the National Patient Safety Guidelines
• To manage and support to the Welbodi Partnership IPC Mentors at each hospital
• To develop and implement an internal monitoring and evaluation plan to determine the impact of the hospital IPC project
• To manage quality improvement projects submitted by hospital staff, in line with an established process developed by Welbodi, ODCH, and SLICH, and expanded under this project to two new hospitals. This includes the management of financial and material resources as well as ensuring that project objectives and outcomes are well designed, monitored, evaluated and met
• To convene and facilitate quality improvement groups in the hospitals with the aim to discuss strategies to improve patient and health worker safety, to overcome barriers affecting accessibility of care and to improve quality of care within the facilities
• To provide technical support to individuals and groups carrying out quality improvement projects in the hospitals, especially those responsible for monitoring and reporting
• To disseminate learning to MOHS, hospitals, health sector partners, and international networks
• To report regularly to the Country Director on project activities, finances, successes and challenges
• To perform any other duties deemed necessary to meet the needs of this project

REQUIREMENTS:

• Essential:
• Graduate level degree in relevant field or minimum 3 years health sector and project management experience
• Excellent people skills and the ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Proven financial management competency
• Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously within the scope of the role
• Excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
• A good command of the English language (verbal and written) is required
• Flexibility in roles and responsibility is essential
• Experience living or working in a developing country, preferably in West Africa

Desirable:

• Project management experience in a developing country, preferably during a humanitarian emergency
• Recent experience in a hospital setting
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is preferred
• A Masters in Public Health (MPH) is an asset
• Experience in IPC training/mentorship/programme development
• Competency in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis; experience with SAS, SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, R, or another statistical analysis software
• Krio or other local language ability, and/or familiarity with Sierra Leone

SALARY/BENEFITS: Based on qualifications and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested candidates should email a copy of their CV, cover letter, and a list of three relevant references to jobs@welbodipartnership.org as soon as possible. The job title should be included in the subject line. Your cover letter should include: your country of residence and nationality, your date of birth, dates you are able to commence and duration of availability. Only those applicants shortlisted for an interview will be notified.

Equality and Diversity Statement

The Welbodi Partnership confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of Equal Opportunities in volunteering and employment in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given Equal Opportunities within the organisation. It is the Welbodi Partnership’s policy as an employer to treat all people equally irrespective of race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, creed, disability, age or political belief.

Applicants for this position should be aware that if successful, they will be requested to complete a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check, or equivalent in countries other than the UK. The Welbodi Partnership complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. The entirety of the Welbodi Equality and Diversity statement is available upon request.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the urgency, applications will be reviewed as they are received and suitable candidates contacted on an on-going basis. This position is for 6-12 months. At this time, WP can only accept applications from citizens or permanent residents of North America and Europe due to limitations in the complex evacuation process in case of emergency.