The Department of Health (DoH) has, through the creation of the Ebola Response Fund, set a goal of raising R250-million to coordinate and manage relief assistance for African countries affected by the ebola virus outbreak, which has, thus far, caused some 2 600 deaths.

“As such, the DoH is making an urgent call to South Africa’s private sector to donate to the fund, the objective of which is to support South Africa’s drive to assist the affected countries to halt the social and humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the region,” the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Noting that the South African government had itself already committed R32.5-million to the fund, the DoH said it was currently working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to coordinate and harmonise support for the response to the Ebola outbreak, which had been hardest felt in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Contributions would be managed by the University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences and Right to Care, in partnership with the DoH, which would work with the respective WHO country office to coordinate efforts.

The department noted that, at a meeting convened on September 19 by the DoH director-general Malebona Matsoso, several major JSE-listed companies had pledged their support in cash and in kind to the fund.

“A pledge to donate money to the Ebola Response Fund will go a long way towards helping Africa tackle this social and humanitarian crisis. We are counting on South Africa’s private sector to actively support this attempt to stop the spread of the ebola virus across the continent.

“We believe that corporate South Africa will respond positively to this clarion call to assist the affected countries. We are grateful to a number of major South African companies, which have already pledged millions to the Ebola Response Fund, as well as committing their companies to other in-kind contributions,” she commented.

The department outlined that donations would be used to support the immediate response to the unfolding crisis by setting up a 40-bed ebola treatment unit in Sierra Leone; providing qualified people to staff the treatment unit; strengthening the surveillance system and database; supporting social mobilisation efforts in the communities in affected countries; expanding laboratory capacity; and providing project management capability.

All funds would be audited and strict corporate governance adhered to.

Companies wishing to donate were asked to contact Dr Barry Kistnasamyt on 082 806 7210 or at barry@fnbconnect.co.za.