Freetown, 12th November 2026- Former President of the Ebola Survivors Association and Ebola survivor, Yusuf Kabba, has called on Sierra Leoneans to avoid politicizing issues relating to Ebola preparedness and response, warning that doing so could undermine efforts to protect public health.
Speaking during the Truth Morning Devotion on Thursday, 12th November 2026, Kabba stressed that disease outbreaks should be treated as matters of national concern rather than as political debates.
“Let us remove politics from the fight against Ebola. The moment we look at the fight through political lenses, we will miss the fight,” he cautioned.
Kabba observed that many people often fail to take health threats seriously until they are directly affected, noting that public complacency can weaken efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
He urged citizens to adopt good hygiene practices at all times, emphasizing that such measures should not only be observed during health emergencies.
“The issue is that people do not take it seriously until it comes to their doorstep,” he said, while encouraging communities to remain vigilant and proactive.
The Ebola survivor also called for stronger disease surveillance systems and greater community participation in monitoring and reporting potential health risks. According to him, local communities play a critical role in preventing outbreaks and ensuring that public health interventions are effective.
Kabba’s remarks come amid renewed discussions on public health preparedness, as health authorities continue to emphasise the importance of early detection, community engagement, and strict adherence to preventive measures to safeguard the country against infectious diseases.
