Washington, June 3 (IANS). The Trump administration is working with Kenya and other international partners to maintain treatment and quarantine systems near Ebola-affected areas in Africa. Officials believe that it is better for Americans who are at risk of infection to stay there and get treatment instead of bringing them directly to America.
During a press conference at the White House, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the administration’s priority is to get treatment facilities as close to the outbreak areas as possible. With this, patients will be able to get quick treatment and the risks of transporting them for long distances will also be reduced.
Oz said, “If a patient is sick, as a cardiologist I would like him to have an operating theater in the same hospital, right next to his room.”
He said that sending them to the other side of the world, especially when we do not completely know what their condition is, probably would not be the wisest decision.
The comments came in response to a question about where US aid workers or others exposed to Ebola would get treatment if Kenya declined to host the centre.
Oz expressed confidence that some solution will emerge from the ongoing diplomatic talks led by the Foreign Ministry.
He said that we are confident that the Ministry of External Affairs is working seriously on this matter and some arrangement will be finalized with Kenya.
Describing Kenya as ‘a beautiful country’ and ‘a country with very capable people’, Oz said he hoped both sides would reach an agreement.
He said that I think this is an excellent solution.
The CMS administrator also said that if this arrangement could not be made with Kenya, then America also had other options.
He said that some other countries may also be ready to help us, and we also have German allies. So we have a number of places where we can send people.
The administration’s broader strategy against Ebola also includes supporting treatment centers and conducting additional testing of international travelers arriving in the United States.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, who is also overseeing the federal response effort, is coordinating preparations with the help of White House officials and public health experts, Oz said.
He said that he is getting the support of Dr. Heidi Overton and many other people of the White House, so the entire plan is well prepared.
According to Oz, the US government is funding treatment efforts in affected areas and additional testing systems have also been implemented at major international airports.
He said that we have deliberately put in place such arrangements for screening and testing at major airports from where people can travel.
This issue has also become important because America is soon going to host several major international sporting events, which are expected to attract a large number of people from all over the world.
He said that I think that under the leadership of Foreign Minister Rubio, we will reach a very good agreement with Kenya.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that can cause hemorrhagic fever. Its mortality rate has ranged from approximately 25 percent to 90 percent, depending on different outbreaks and available treatments. Public health agencies generally consider it most important to quickly isolate, test, and treat infected or suspected people to stop the spread of the disease.
–IANS
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