Paper short abstract:

As new lessons emerge on the response to the Ebola outbreak in the West African Region, it is becoming increasingly clear that community engagement is critical in the rolling out of any public health intervention. Due to the overwhelmingly high number of cases reported at the height of the epidemic, several facilities had to be reconfigured to admit, isolate and treat patients. Many such facilities were constructed in existing hospitals, schools or buildings that provided other functions prior to the outbreak. New facilities were also constructed to deal with the epidemic.

Paper long abstract:

As Liberia makes significant progress in halting the Ebola Outbreak that ravaged the West African region, efforts are now geared towards rebuilding and strengthening the very weak health systems. Strategies are now being put in place to scale down the activities and bed capacities in the Ebola care facilities. The closure of such facilities or repurposing for other use not related to the treatment of Ebola should follow standard operating procedures while respecting the social and psychological impact of the affected population.

In the post Ebola phase. there are many emerging issues coming out the communities which is still causing distrust between community health care workers and community members. While an assessment is yet to determine and unpack the key issues surrounding distrust between these two groups, several reports have highlighted that communities are reluctant to visit health care facilities for fear of stigma and discrimination and community health workers neglect patient that present with non –Ebola related cases. In light of this critical concern, the WHO Decommissioning guidelines clearly recommend community engagement in the decommissioning of Ebola care facilities as well as any public health intervention.

This abstract seeks to present the concerns and issues raised in one of the community dialogues held prior to the decommissioning exercise and points out key steps taken in the entire process while also taking note of individual perceptions and ensuring that the right message is being conveyed.

The process further indicates the discussions that ensued, the opinions of community members on the exercise, the safety and health of the community and environment and its role in supporting safe decommissioning of the facility and alternatives to the initial plan.