Ebola Outbreak: Prayer or science resolution?

In 1976, Ebola (named after the Ebola River in Zaire) first emerged in Sudan and Zaire; infecting over 284 people, with a mortality rate of 53%.

As of October 14 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC), and local governments- reported a total of 9,216 suspected cases and 4,555 deaths (4,995 cases and 2,729 deaths having been laboratory confirmed).

Though, the WHO believes that this substantially understates the magnitude of the outbreak with possibly 2.5 times as many cases as have been reported. On 14th October, during a news conference in Geneva, the assistant director-general of the WHO stated that there could be as many as 10,000 new Ebola cases per week by December 2014.

Countries affected include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and lastly Nigeria being declared Ebola free after recording some cases.

As I write this piece, several unanswered questions were running through my mind; what best approach can help save the lives of innocent people in countries already caught struggling with the Ebola virus disease or in countries like Ghana, putting in measures to ensure the disease does not slowly creep into it.

Can it be the prayers of renowned African Pastors? Or Do Africans have to solely depend on the scientific approach? Lastly, can both approach help save the situation?

As per the definition of prayers by the Merriam Webster dictionary, it is an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought.

Some renowned and powerful Pastors in Africa such as Archbishop Duncan Williams and Prophet T B Joshua from Ghana and Nigeria respectively, have revealed that the deadly virus is a “demonic” spiritual plague.

They declared and led their congregation in prayers in response to fight this satanic plague; this they said prayers has no boundaries and limit and God can heal and release the affected countries and non-affected countries from the deadly disease.

Interestingly, this move by the spiritual Pastors has been criticized by some people who believe prayer is not the key to the resolution of the deadly disease. Other opinion leaders have even called for the arrest of these pastors; to them, they are misleading their huge followers.

For instance, Antwi Bosiako Kwaku, a columnist of GhanaWeb, in his write-up on Sunday October 19, 2014 in his own words said “I find any prayer against or spiritual explanation to Ebola very unacceptable and even offensive and unhelpful.

First, Duncan Williams and TB Joshua aren't more righteous than every one of those who have contracted Ebola and/or have died of the disease. Any suggestion that Ebola is a demonic attack on the affected countries is outrageously stupid”.

To these concerned citizens, when people eventually buy the idea that prayers only can heal and stop Ebola, it becomes very dangerous for the health of the people and the country at large -because people will stay at home or mix up with other church members -praying when they should be reporting any symptoms for immediate medical attention.

So instead of getting isolated and treated, so-called believers would be praying and infecting many more people and yet would eventually die, because they won't be healed by prayers.

In respect to the scientific approach, various preventive measures by international and local health experts have been laid down for people, and countries to adhere to, to prevent the spread of the deadly virus disease.

Such as avoiding direct exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal (alive or dead), practicing of hygiene, including regular hand washing; avoid eating of bats, isolation of patients infected with the disease and lastly anyone travelling to affected areas to work or volunteer in a healthcare setting should seek advice and ensure they are fully informed about infection control procedures and recommendations and among others.

I believe that both approaches in the resolution of Ebola are equally important. Those who believe that prayers can heal people infected with the disease should also not forgo the preventive measures put in place- since it’s a communicable disease.