Investigation conducted by this paper has revealed that workers at the Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town have abandoned the hospital for fear of more deaths from the deadly Ebola virus. The decision of workers to stay away from work has led to the closure of the Hospital.

Authorities at the Ministry of Health told journalists at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing that the hospital was temporarily shut down after nurses decided to stay away, but has since been reopened and was carrying on normal medical operations.

Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyenswah blamed the brief closure of the hospital on the trauma suffered by nurses and other health workers following the death of their colleague, Esther Kesseley.

Nyenswah said the situation is under control. He said nurses and workers are going about their normal duties at the hospital.

But contrary to the Minister's assertion, our investigation established that nurses and other health workers at the hospital have decided to stay away from the hospital until the government and the hospital's administration ensure that the entire hospital's environment is sprayed and they (nurses) are supplied the necessary protective gears before returning to work.

A nurse who chose anonymity (for fear of losing her job) said since the death of their colleague, Esther Kesseley of the deadly Ebola virus, they unconditionally discharged all of the patients that were admitted at the hospital and have refused to accept new patients.

She said their non-corporative action will continue until the government provides them with the needed materials to work with, especially during the 'Ebola crisis' period.

Nurses at the Redemption Hospital told reporters Tuesday that their lives were at risk in the performance of their daily duties after the death of their colleague.

The nurses said they work in a risky environment especially in the wake of the reported outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the New Kru Town community.

The assertions and stay-away action of the Redemption nurses and other workers also contradict comments by the Hospital's Interim General Administrator who claimed that the nurses were provided with the necessary protective gears to carry on their work.

BY SAM ZOTA,

AllAfrica