Minn. Doctors, Nurses Heading To Liberia To Fight Ebola
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A group of nurses and doctors have boarded a flight to Liberia to help in the fight against Ebola.
The group is with the American Refugee Committee, also known as the ARC. Of the 11 people are traveling to Liberia, 8 of them are Minnesotans.
The doctors and nurses, many of whom are Liberian Americans, said they are nervous and scared. But they said they practice medicine to help people in need.
When they arrive in Liberia, they will undergo about two weeks of training.
The Department of Defense and the Liberia Ministry of Health will prepare them with lectures and simulations to get them ready to provide medical care, the ARC said.
The group will stay in Liberia for three months.
John Paye, a nurse with 20 years of experience, is from Liberia.
"There's a great need," Paye said. "It's my home. No one understands the culture better than me."
Dr. Joe Spann of Austin, Texas, came to Minnesota for the ARC orientation in preparation for the Liberia trip. He specializes in internal medicine. He admitted that he is nervous.
'I'm scared," Spann said. "Ebola is a serious disease. I think with the proper training and protective equipment and following procedures, I can treat patients safely."
When the doctors and nurses return to Minnesota, they'll be in isolation, at their homes, for 21 days.
They won't be allowed to ride public transportation or be around large groups during that time period.
They will also be required to check in with the State Department of Health and ARC every day.
