Kimberley nurse joins fight against Ebola
A remote area nurse recently returned to the Kimberley after travelling to Sierra Leone to help fight the deadly Ebola outbreak.
Kate Chapman arrived back on home soil last month after spending almost six weeks in the West African country and completing her 21-day quarantine period in Spain.
Ms Chapman was among a group of West Australians, including Broome resident Warren Fryer, who answered the call as aid workers for International Red Cross to assist people in Sierra Leone.
Having worked as a nurse for 15 years, she said there was never any question about offering her help for the cause.
After three days of intensive training in Madrid, Ms Chapman arrived at her destination on January 15.
During her stint, she worked on the wards and was also the staff health nurse.
"It really cemented in your mind because it's life and death," Ms Chapman said.
"You have to be really strict on all procedures and protocols."
Before coming into contact with a patient, Ms Chapman would spend up to 20 minutes getting prepared.
One of her biggest accomplishments was helping to save the life of a newborn baby at the Ebola treatment centre in Kenema.
While the mission was challenging, Ms Chapman said her experience was extremely rewarding and unforgettable.
"Sierra Leone is an absolutely beautiful country … the people are just amazing," she said.
"After what they've been through, they're the heroes of this epidemic."
For more information or to make a donation to the Red Cross Ebola Outbreak appeal, visit [www.redcross.org.au|www.redcross.org.au].
