While the World Health Organization declared this week that the Ebola epidemic has finally reached a “turning point,” international organizations working on the ground are struggling to cope with staffing challenges, including how to train the best foreign and local specialists to treat patients and — even more importantly — how to find time to do so.
The number of cases in the three worst-affected West African countries — Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia — is falling, WHO officials have confirmed, with just eight cases detected in Liberia in the past two weeks, down from more than 500 per week in September 2014.
One well-placed WHO official in Geneva told Devex the latest figures emerging were “promising,” given the sheer scale of an outbreak that has infected more than 22,000 people and resulted in nearly 8,800 deaths. But he “urged caution” to capitalize on the significant efforts — and notable successes — of international development actors and health workers in recent months.
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Richard Jones@richard_devex
In his role as Editorial Director Richard oversees content for digital series, reports and events, leading a talented team of writers and editors, conducting high-level video interviews and moderating panels at events. Previously partnerships editor and an associate editor at Devex, Richard brings to bear 15 years of experience as an editor in institutional communications, public affairs and international development. Based in Barcelona, his development experience includes stints in the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Ecuador, as well as extensive work travel in Africa and Asia.