JFK Nursing Director Clarifies Ebola Preparedness Training Was Precautionary | News

The Director of Nursing Services at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), Mrs. Joana D. Joekai, has clarified that a recent education and awareness initiative for nurses on Ebola Virus Disease preparedness was strictly precautionary and part of routine infection prevention planning.

In a statement, Mrs. Joekai explained that the exercise was conducted under her leadership as part of her professional and ethical responsibility overseeing nursing services at the ES Grant Memorial and Maternity Hospitals within the JFK Medical Center system.

“In keeping with my responsibility and ethical obligation as Director of Nursing Services overseeing the ES Grant Memorial and Maternity Hospitals of the John F Kennedy Medical Center, I initiated a proactive education and awareness process for nurses aimed at strengthening preparedness and ensuring a safe working environment for both healthcare workers and patients in the event of any highly infectious disease outbreak including Ebola Virus Disease,” she stated.

She emphasized that the initiative was not triggered by any confirmed outbreak but was instead designed to strengthen readiness and reinforce infection prevention and control practices among healthcare workers.

According to her, Liberia’s health system must remain vigilant due to the country’s history with Ebola Virus Disease, making continuous training and preparedness essential even in the absence of active cases.

Mrs. Joekai said the training focused on improving awareness, safety protocols, and response readiness to ensure that nurses and other frontline health workers are adequately prepared to manage potential public health emergencies.

She noted that strengthening preparedness systems within hospitals is critical to safeguarding both patients and healthcare workers, particularly in high-risk clinical environments.

The JFK Nursing Director reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining strict safety standards within the hospital system and ensuring continuous professional development for nursing staff.

She also stressed that such initiatives are part of broader national efforts to reinforce infection prevention and control capacity across Liberia’s health sector.