Closing the ETU

     At midnight, 15 April 2015, the Heart to Heart Ebola Treatment Unit in Tappita, Liberia was closed to new patients.  Over the last several months, the number of Ebola cases in Liberia has been falling.  As of today, Liberia is over 3 weeks free of Ebola.  There isn't a need for the many ETU's that are here although some will be maintained for cases that might enter the country from Guinea or Sierra Leone or that come from natural reservoirs.  Also, male Ebola survivors can harbor active virus in their semen for up to 6 months and maybe beyond.  The last Liberian case is thought to have come from unprotected sexual contact.  However, the large number of ETUs are unnecessary at this time and our ETU is included in that number.  We have been in standby status since the 15th and our last day in standby is 8 May.  

     After that, we will be decommissioning the ETU, decontaminating the area, disposing of equipment and supplies in accordance with USAID and Liberian Ministry of Health rules.  This will need to be completed by 31 May which is the end of our contract with USAID.  Wow, there is a lot of stuff here we need to distribute in three weeks.  Some of it is pretty straight forward, medical supplies are distributed according to need as agreed to by HHI and the county Health Officer.  Others are ones I wouldn't have suspected.  There is enough plywood and timber in the structure and shelving in our warehouse for two small houses.  People have approached us about selling the crushed rock with has significant value.  Even the PVC piping buried under the gravel has value here.  Then we have to factor in possible ongoing projects and we are left with a lot of moving parts.  There is so much to do that I am reminded of an old Henny Youngman line about people at a party 'they stay longer when they are leaving than they do when they are here'.  

     There are a lot of emotions about leaving.  A lot of them revolve around people.  Anticipation of seeing loved ones when we go home.  Sadness at leaving behind Liberian friends and watching expat friends depart.  I guess I will write more about those feelings later when I have processed everything.  I just know that we have been a small part in a noble effort to save lives for people in need.  And I thank God for the opportunity.