Monday, October 20, 2014
Ontario Pledges $3 Million in Fight Against Ebola: Funds to Support Emergency Response in West Africa
Ontario is providing $3 million to help front-line responders contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and is encouraging the public to match the donation.
The government is providing $1 million to Médecins Sans Frontières, and another $2 million to the Red Cross to support these organizations' efforts to treat patients in affected countries, train staff, raise awareness and prevent further transmission.
The current Ebola outbreak, which began in West Africa in March 2014, is unprecedented. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern on August 8, 2014.
Joining international responses to prevent the spread of Ebola supports ongoing efforts to ensure Ontario has the right tools and protocols in place to contain and treat any potential case of Ebola in the province, and to protect the safety of all Ontarians, including health care workers.
Quick Facts:
- Ontario has already taken a number of steps to ensure the province’s readiness in dealing with any potential cases of Ebola. This includes asking the Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health to issue a directive to health care employers regarding both personal protection equipment and protocols to ensure that front-line health care workers are protected.
- In collaboration with health system partners, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care continues to monitor the Ebola situation to assess the risk to Ontarians and to ensure that our system remains prepared.
- Ontario’s health care facilities have sophisticated infection control systems and procedures to protect health care providers, patients and all Ontarians.
Learn More:
Quotes:
"I know that many Ontarians are concerned about the rapid spread of the Ebola virus. These funds will help those on the front lines in West Africa in their courageous efforts to treat patients and prevent further transmissions of this deadly disease. The people of Ontario are compassionate and caring and I know they will contribute to this important effort."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"On behalf of all Ontarians, I want to express our profound gratitude for the brave and dedicated work that international aid workers and health care personnel in West Africa are doing on the front lines of this humanitarian crisis. These workers have sacrificed so much to do what comes so naturally to them – caring for the health and safety of those in need. This contribution will help them continue that important and courageous work."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"MSF appreciates the Government of Ontario’s important contribution today in support of our ongoing efforts in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. This contribution will assist our teams in their efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola and save the lives of those who are infected. This contribution will also help us address the needs of thousands of people who can no longer access health care in these countries due to their health care systems collapsing, another deleterious consequence of this terrible outbreak."
— Stephen Cornish, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Canada
"We are grateful for the leadership of the Government of Ontario for their donation to the Red Cross. These funds will support the deployment of Red Cross personnel who will provide much needed medical treatment, educate the public about how to stop the spread of Ebola, and play a leading role in the global effort to stop the Ebola epidemic."
— Tanya Elliott, Director General of Ontario for the Canadian Red Cross
"Ebola is continuing to spread at a rapid pace in West Africa and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Significant human and financial resources from the international community are the only way to bring this epidemic under control and we are grateful to the Government of Ontario for their contribution to the efforts of the Red Cross."
— Susan Johnson, Director General of International Operations for the Canadian Red Cross
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