Everyday Ethics and Ebola: Planning for the Unlikely

Keirns, Carla C.

doi:10.1080/15265161.2015.1010020

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Even so, this is a minimal sum for a high-income country such as ours, which, just a few weeks after a number of public health experts had called on European governments to request urgent aid to control the epidemic in Africa [ 34 ], allocated 7 million euros to funding prevention projects in EVD outbreak-affected countries and their border areas [ 35 ]. This sum is approximately half the budget allocated at the time to meeting the needs arising from the EVD outbreak in Spain, without taking into account the resources allocated by regional authorities to preparing the staff and facilities of countless hospitals to treat Ebola patients, when the vast majority of these will never get to see a single case [ 36 ]. Following repatriation of Spanish personnel who had become infected, Spain contributed additional funds through the European Union and sent a group of epidemiologists to the affected area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical considerations surrounding the response to Ebola: the Spanish experience

Royo-Bordonada

López

2016

BMC Med Ethics

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BackgroundThe recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, with 28,646 reported cases and 11,323 deaths, was declared a public health emergency of international interest by the World Health Organisation. In Spain, a single reported case triggered a public health crisis of a markedly media-centred nature. The approach to the first EVD epidemic has given rise to various ethical considerations around the world. We address the most relevant ethical considerations emanating from the management of EVD in Spain.Main bodyFirstly, for reasons of global justice and humanitarian assistance, rich countries have the duty to support poorer countries in building up their core public-health capacities. Secondly, quarantine for high-risk contacts might have been a disproportionate and not properly justified measure, which could have contributed to stigmatising contacts and spreading panic. Thirdly, when the first secondary case was reported in Spain, it is doubtful whether informed consent requirements were strictly complied with when disclosing information concerning the alleged accident potentially causing the contagion. Moreover, this information was used by the Regional Health Minister to blame the patient, evading his responsibility to ensure safe medical procedures for health workers. Finally, the patient received convalescent plasma for compassionate use from a colleague of the first missionary repatriated, who also participated in a research study in Spain, despite having previously been denied the chance of being transferred to Spain to receive treatment. This fact highlights the asymmetry in the relationship between rich and poor countries.Short conclusionThe management of this crisis highlighted the technical capacity of the health system and its professionals to respond effectively to public health emergencies caused by emerging diseases. This said, the failures in the protection of the EVD patient‘s privacy remind us that this aspect has to be borne in mind from the outset in crisis situations. Certain coercive measures, such as quarantine, should only be applied where there is some evidence that the benefit-risk balance could be favourable. Lastly, it is essential that research and interventions targeted at combating the fragility of the health systems in poor countries respond to reasons of global justice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%