On Monday, the United Nations (UN) sharply denounced the latest mandatory isolation policy enacted by three US states on healthcare workers returning from Ebola-struck nations. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said the policy created difficulties for those risking their lives to fight the deadly virus.
The UN secretary-general's criticism came after the controversial isolation ordered to Kaci Hickox, the nurse who was placed in isolation Friday despite negative Ebola tests after returning to New Jersey from Sierra Leone.
"Those who develop Ebola infections should be supported, not stigmatized," the United Nations stated.
Along with the White House, aid organizations and several medical experts, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon joined in criticizing the three US states' 21-day mandatory isolation policy for people returning from West Africa who had direct exposure with Ebola patients. According to Rappler, the states of New York, Illinois and New Jersey imposed the latest restriction policy.
"Returning health workers are exceptional people who are giving of themselves for humanity," Secretary-General's spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated in a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York on Oct. 27. The statement cited the views of the UN Chief. "They should not be subjected to restrictions that are not based on science."
The UN spokesman also said that Secretary-General Ban thought the restrictions have placed certain pressure on healthcare workers and those who have been "on the front line" of the response to Ebola. Yahoo News reported the outbreak has killed almost 5,000 people in the impoverished West African nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
"The secretary-general reiterates that the best way for any country to protect itself from Ebola is to stop the outbreak at its source in West Africa," Dujarric added. "This requires considerable international health care worker support and in return for this support, we have an obligation to look after them."
In spite of the sharp criticism expressed by the UN chief, Dujarric highlighted that UN staff would comply with all the US federal and local rules regarding isolation policies. The controversial policies were enacted a day after Dr. Craig Spencer became the first Ebola patient in New York on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the legal team of Kaci Hickox, the nurse who was quarantined despite negative Ebola test, said she was released Monday, as reported by CNN. The nurse hired civil rights lawyers Sunday to file federal suit for violating her rights when placed in isolation.
Attorney Stephen Hyman told CNN that Hickox will return to Maine and preparations for her travel are still being planned.
The United Nations has been very vocal regarding the governments' and private sectors' proposals in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. UN Secretary-General Ban persistently discouraged the imposing of travel bans on Ebola-struck nations because it will impede the flow of medical aid and staff.
The UN also announced that hundreds of foreign healthcare workers are urgently needed in West Africa to help control the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
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