Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has been awarded the prestigious Global Champion Award for her “courage, leadership, integrity and wisdom in the overall fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)”. She is only the second recipient of the award, the first being former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who first won it in 2013.
According to a dispatch from New York, the Liberian President was conferred the award by the medical organization, International Medical Corps (IMC), an NGO involved in the provision of comprehensive care and resources to people diagnosed of Ebola in Bong and Margibi Counties in Liberia.
Receiving the award, President Sirleaf paid tribute to the communities for showing leadership and taking ownership by demonstrating the zeal to serve as first responders in the midst of the epidemic. She acknowledged the role of the communities in taking charge and stated that they deserve all the credit. She also noted the sacrifices made by nurses, doctors and the hard working team of the Incident Management System.
She went on to point out that, in spite of the progress, her administration was committed to vigorous surveillance geared towards protecting its borders as well as taking action to increase the pace of combating malaria and cholera.
IMC Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Nancy Milner, described President Sirleaf as a remarkable and extraordinary leader who successfully led her country during its most turbulent moment. She said her organization has great interest in the government’s priority of training and rebuilding a resilient health system.
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