International Leaders, Experts Call For Greater Measures To Address Ebola Outbreak

News outlets report on international efforts to curb the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including statements from U.N. Director-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Devex: A.U. mobilizing health workers for Ebola-hit West Africa
“Health personnel are critical to stemming the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, but the region remains sorely lacking in qualified professionals, a deficit the African Union is trying to address by calling on member states to send medical practitioners to the worst-hit countries…” (Ravelo, 9/2).

Foreign Policy: Ban Says U.N. Troops Are Safe, Needed to Quash Ebola Unrest
“…In a sign of the seriousness of the [Ebola outbreak’s] threat, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council that he wants to delay the gradual drawdown of the U.N. Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which was established in 2003 to help Liberia through a vexing transition from civil war to democracy…” (Lynch, 9/2).

The Hill: Obama to Africans: Don’t touch Ebola corpses
“President Obama urged West Africans in areas affected by the Ebola virus not to touch the corpses of loved ones who had succumbed to the deadly disease in a public service announcement released by the State Department on Tuesday. … In the video, Obama offers the prayers of the American people to ‘those of you who have lost loved ones during this terrible outbreak of Ebola.’ But he also pledges American assistance to West African governments grappling with the disease…” (Sink, 9/2).

New York Times: U.N. and Medical Group Make Appeals for Ebola Aid
“The United Nations and the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders each issued urgent appeals on Tuesday for international aid to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Senior United Nations officials urged diplomats to cable their capitals to send money, doctors and protective gear to the affected region. The doctors’ group called for countries to send civilian and military biohazard experts…” (Sengupta, 9/2).

Washington Post: Global health officials warn that window for bringing Ebola under control is closing fast
“Leading international health officials said Tuesday that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is accelerating and the window for getting it under control is closing…” (Sun/Dennis, 9/2).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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