President Sirleaf Meets with Dr. Kent Brantly and Family; To Receive One of Liberia’s Highest Distinctions during the 168th Independence Celebrations

Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the United States , Mon, Jul 6, 2015

(MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Friday, June 26, 2015) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received in audience Dr. Kent Brantly, his wife and two children at her Foreign Ministry office. Dr. Brantly, American doctor working with Samaritan Purse medical team contracted the deadly Ebola virus disease while attending to patients at an Ebola Treatment Center at the ELWA hospital during the height of the Ebola crisis.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader welcome Dr. Brantly and his family back to Liberia and informed him that Liberians appreciate him and recognized the risk he took under very difficult circumstances to serve this country during the Ebola crisis and are even more grateful that he and his family chose to return to Liberia.
President Sirleaf also thanked Mrs. Brantly for the support given Dr. Brantly during his mission to Liberia and at the time of his ailment. “The children may not have known exactly what was going on but I am sure they missed daddy. This kind of family support is a real example of family commitment of excellence,” she indicated. President Sirleaf poses with Dr. Brantly and his family following the meeting
The Liberian President informed Dr. Brantly that the Liberian Government has decided to honor him during Liberia’s 168th independence celebrations scheduled to be held in Greenville, Sinoe County for the sacrifices made for Liberia and its people. 
She also thanked Samaritan Purse and reflected that they were one of the first institutions to initiate the community approach method which many later followed, thus catalyzing the efforts of finally containing the further spread of the Ebola virus disease.
For his part, Dr. Brantly expressed happiness for being able to return to Liberia and for the defeat of the Ebola virus disease. He pointed out that many people from around the world have thanked him for the work he has done for Liberia and Africa as a whole, but believes he has done very little.
“I am glad that my ailment brought a lot of attention to Liberia and the rest of the affected countries and how it helped to enhance more support and ended the crisis. The many prayers for me, my family and Liberia during my ailment was great and I want to personally thank you for your leadership before, during and after the Ebola crisis,” Dr. Brantly stressed.
Dr. Brantly indicated that he was glad to join Liberians celebrate the defeat of the virus from the country; but urged all to be concerned about Guinea and Sierra Leone because until it is over in the region and the other affected countries, the Ebola crisis is not over.
“I am pleased to be of service to humanity and will continue to do so for as long as God grant me breath. Stigmatization and discrimination against Ebola survivors is a part of the problem that exits and I have spoken out against that as a part of our message here in Liberia,” Dr. Brantly said.He pointed out that it was an incredible honor for him to have been selected for a national honor on July 26, during the celebration of the country’s independence, adding it was July 26, 2014 that I was diagnosed of the Ebola virus disease. 
He expressed regret that he will be unable to receive the honor in person, but requested that Dr. John Fankhauser of the ELWA Hospital represent him and the honoring ceremonies.
“Madam President, I was able to see you many times on the television mentioning that you, your government and the Liberian people were concerned and praying for me and all other ailing people from the virus and I like to personally thank you for this,” he said. 
Samaritan Purse also expressed thanks for the support and recognition received from the President and the Liberian government and informed her that the organization has reconditioned the air script in Sinoe and is listed among projects for dedication during the celebrations.

President Sirleaf welcomes Dr. BrantlyPresident Sirleaf meets with Dr. Brantly and family during a courtesy call on Friday, June 26, 2015