By: Journalist Archie Ayouba Boan
The Director of Nursing Services at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Mrs. Joana D. Joekai, has issued a formal statement clarifying that recent educational sessions conducted for nurses at the institution were strictly precautionary and not linked to any confirmed Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
In her statement, Mrs. Joekai explained that as part of her professional and ethical responsibility overseeing the E.S. Grant Memorial and Maternity Hospitals under JFK Medical Center, she initiated a proactive awareness and preparedness process aimed at equipping nurses with updated knowledge and safety procedures in the event of any highly infectious disease outbreak, including Ebola Virus Disease.
According to her, the training was prompted by Liberia’s painful past experience with the Ebola epidemic and recent alerts from the Ministry of Health concerning reported Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mrs. Joekai emphasized that the educational sessions focused primarily on infection prevention and control measures, patient triaging procedures, and the proper use of specialized protective equipment such as impermeable gowns, double gloves, face shields, and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
“The education focused on patient triaging procedures, specialized barrier protections and the proper use of PPE which remains critical in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks,” she noted.
She firmly rejected what she described as any misunderstanding or misrepresentation suggesting that Liberia currently has a confirmed Ebola case.
“It is important to clearly state that at no point during these educational engagements did I, or any member of my team, disclose or suggest that Liberia has any confirmed Ebola case,” the statement stressed.
Mrs. Joekai further clarified that only the Ministry of Health has the legal authority and mandate to officially declare or confirm any Ebola outbreak in Liberia. She maintained that the awareness initiative was solely intended to strengthen preparedness among healthcare workers and ensure a safe working environment for both medical staff and patients.
The statement comes amid heightened public sensitivity surrounding Ebola-related information, given Liberia’s devastating experience during the 2014–2016 West African Ebola outbreak which claimed thousands of lives across the region.
Meanwhile, the JFK Medical Center says it remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, patient care, safety, and public health preparedness as regional health concerns continue to evolve.
