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Health workers wearing protective gear wait to carry the body of a person suspected to have died from Ebola, in Monrovia, Liberia. AP/Press Association Images

Liberian doctors strike to demand "danger money" for treating Ebola patients

The World Health Organisation has said Ebola ‘threatens the very survival of societies and governments in already very poor countries’.

DOCTORS AND NURSES across Liberia have gone on strike to demand danger money to care for Ebola patients, as the World Health Organization called the health crisis the worst in modern times.

Health care workers in west Africa are on the frontline of the worst-ever Ebola outbreak, which has killed more than 4,000 people this year, mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and the hardest-hit, Liberia.

The Liberian walkout came as US officials said the United States must “rethink” its approach to Ebola after a female nurse in Texas contracted the tropical virus, in the first case of contamination on US soil and the second outside Africa.

As the US case fuelled global jitters, President Barack Obama and his French counterpart Francois Hollande issued a joint call for “stepped-up” global efforts to combat the disease.

Liberia Ebola Health workers in protective gear carry the body of a person suspected to have died from Ebola. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

And European Union ministers called a meeting for Thursday to discuss screening travellers from Ebola-hit west Africa, in line with steps taken by Britain, the United States and Canada.

In the face of panic that was “spreading faster than the virus”, the WHO issued a stark warning that the Ebola crisis was “the most severe acute public health emergency in modern times”.

“I have never seen a health event threaten the very survival of societies and governments in already very poor countries,” said WHO chief Margaret Chan in a statement delivered on her behalf at a Manila conference.

I have never seen an infectious disease contribute so strongly to potential state failure.

Earlier today, an Irish medical expert said that protocols are in place for dealing with the virus if it reaches Ireland.

© AFP 2014

Irish health expert: ‘All our hospitals have to be ready for Ebola’ >

Poll: Are you worried about Ebola spreading to Ireland? >

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    Mute Tony O' Leary
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    Oct 13th 2014, 10:31 PM

    I do think they deserve big bonus for the risk involved but it’s not going be work much if they get infected..safe and protective techniques and procedures is the only way to reduce the risk !

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    Mute fact&ionlydealinfact
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    Oct 13th 2014, 10:30 PM

    Danger money, will come in handy to pay for their funerals I guess.

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    Glen
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    Mute Glen
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    Oct 13th 2014, 10:34 PM

    I can see their point on fairness.

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    Mute Ben Coughlan
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    Oct 13th 2014, 10:42 PM

    Probably a valid reason to ask for a raise and all… and usually I’d support any worker going on strike where the reason seemed valid.. but with 120 doctors in the country, and the virus spreading like wild fire, morally its tough to justify a strike right now… on the governments side then.. why even leave it come to this.. why not cough it up immediately? With so few medical workers there giving out it won’t break the bank to pay them some OT/danger money..

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    Mute Sheik Yerbouti
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    Oct 13th 2014, 10:46 PM

    Guess who will be providing official Irish government statements on this?

    “She is the most frequently-used crisis management consultant in Ireland, dealing with issues as diverse as blackmail, terror threats, industrial accidents and medical scandals.” Taken From Communications Clinic Homepage

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    Drew
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    Mute Drew
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    Oct 14th 2014, 1:22 AM

    More than fair… Most developed countries have sent tens of millions in aid to Ebola stricken nations. No reason this shouldn’t go to Drs and nurses, and any that die in the line of duty should have support paid to their spouses and children for life.

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    orla
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    Mute orla
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    Oct 14th 2014, 8:43 AM

    Its mainly caregivers and relatives, that get it,at the moment.The dead have to be buried quickly, no time for a proper burial.

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