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The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Liberia from March 2014 to June 2016 devastated the livelihoods of the population and the country’s economy. The epidemic led to 11,622 EVD cases with 4,686 deaths. The third wave of EVD outbreak in 2016 was attributed to sexual transmission, leading to the establishment of the Men’s Health Screening Program (MHSP) in July 2015 to provide male EVD survivors with semen testing for EBOV RNA by rRT-PCR and behavioral counseling on safe sex practices. This intervention was led by the Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with WHO and the United States- Center for Disease Control (US-CDC).
Giving the overview of the program, Mr. Emerson J. Rogers, MHSP Program Director said the program was coordinated from three sites in three counties (Montserrado, Bong and Lofa) that were most affected by EVD epidemic in the country. A total of 857 survivors were enrolled, of whom 766 had Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) discharge certificates and 91 survivors did not have ETU certificates. Results indicated that EVD survivors did shed viral particles in their semen for more than 90 days with the last participant taking at least 6 months.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Joel Maybury, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, congratulated Liberia and its partners for sustaining the MHSP. “Liberia is the only country in the region that is on record for successfully following EVD survivors.” Mr. Maybury said. He pledged the US Government’s continuous partnership to ensure a healthier Liberia through the delivery of adequate healthcare.
Speaking at this ceremony, Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Country Representative described the EVD outbreak in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone as a disease of the marginalized.
“Today is another demonstration that Liberia has won the fight against EVD and written history with the successful screening and following up of all the enrolled male EVD survivors in the country,” Dr. Clement said.
He said all these wouldn’t have happened without the communities, partnerships, and solidarity from everyone.
” Liberians are resilient people, when they say we will, they do”. Dr. Clement said.
He pledged WHO’s commitment to supporting the government of Liberia in the building of a resilient health system which he said is critical.
The head of the EVD survivors network, Mr. Vannie kamara speaking on behalf of his colleagues called on the government and partners not to forget them even after the closure of the program. He commended his colleagues and called them heroes, “we are happy that we are free and can no longer transmit EVD through our semen “he said.
The Honorable Minister of Health Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah thanked the survivor’s network for their cooperation. “Let us make EVD a past today but also remember its devastation and prepare for the future ahead”, she said. Min. Jallah then pleaded with partners to continue supporting the EVD survivors so that they are not forgotten”
“Findings from the MHSP and lessons learned will benefit Liberia and the world”. Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Health Minister, said.
Over 48 MoH staff and the last cohort of the EVD survivors who participated in the program were gowned and certified for their support and commitment to the MHSP.
With funding from the US-CDC, WHO provided technical, logistical, and operational support to the MHSP that led to successful counseling and follow-up of all the enrolled 857 participants (100%) on the risk of Ebola Virus transmission and ensuring each of them was tested and received two (02) negative PCR results with no transmission during the 6 years follow up period.
