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President of Liberia thanks Netcare for support in fighting Ebola

More than ten months after Ebola was declared an emergency in West Africa in August 2014

Wednesday, June 17 2015

More than ten months after Ebola was declared an emergency in West Africa in August 2014, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Madam President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, visited Netcare’s head office in Sandton to express her gratitude on behalf of her country for Netcare’s support during the Ebola crisis. Liberia was officially declared Ebola-free on 9 May this year.

“Your help, which came at a critical time, contributed to Liberia going over 73 days now with no new reported cases of the Ebola virus and I wanted to visit you personally to say a big thank you to you for the help,” Madam President Sirleaf said.

Last year, Netcare donated four ambulances to Liberia during the Ebola crisis. Netcare also helped to fund a Department of Health initiative for a 40-bed tented hospital in Sierra Leone as part of South Africa’s efforts to assist West African countries dealing with the Ebola virus.

Madam President Sirleaf, together with Madame Lois Brutus, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to South Africa, and a delegation of dignitaries were warmly received by Netcare’s chief executive officer, Dr Richard Friedland, and a group of senior executives from Netcare.

In welcoming the Liberian dignitaries, Dr Friedland said he and his colleagues were humbled by the fact that the Nobel laureate took time out of her busy schedule to visit them during her brief stay in South Africa.

“We are honoured that Madam President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, graciously took the time to visit us. It was indeed a special moment to meet one of the most iconic women leaders in the world.

“We are pleased that Netcare could play a small role in supporting the people of Liberia and West Africa in their time of need. During our positive discussions with Madam President and the Liberian delegation, it was agreed that we would remain in contact,” Dr Friedland concluded.

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