Last summer, four members of Fatu Kekula's family were infected with Ebola. Fatu was a nursing student in Liberia and she courageously cared for her family, directly putting her own life at risk. She successfully care for her mother, father and sister. Her cousin died from the illness. Yet the 75% survival rate for her patients is far better than many hospitals in the region, and her method of improvised protective gear has been taught to others who don't have access to proper equipment. We are honored to have Fatu join us for our conversation today about the future of global health after Ebola. Tell us about your experience of studying nursing in Liberia. >> Well, my experience of studying nursing back in Liberia is interesting, but we don't have the facilities as compared to developed countries. Like a laboratory where students go, into practice. We don't have it available for us, so that that make it at times difficult to grasp the lessons that the instructor is teaching very fast because most people learn different ways. Some people learn by touching, by feeling and then if you have a student that learns by touching and feeling and then they don't have the materials to show the, the students what did you touch and feel, it becomes difficult for that individual to cope with the lesson. >> So, when you were studying nursing in Liberia, and the Ebola epidemic began, did you see Ebola in your clinical practice? >> I saw Ebola patients. We were not in facilities, it was at my home. That was my father, mother, sister, and my little cousin. >> So, you were very inventive in the things that you use to care for your family members. You use trash bags and raincoats. How did you come up with those ideas? Well, those ideas came up because for us mostly in Liberia, our instructors, they ultimately had to improvise. Because of our sector, we don't have all of the equipment that we, that we need to care for patients. And then told the equipment is not there, but what I do is all this as a nurse, that is the critical thinking. What would you do to keep your patient stable? So, that was how that idea came to me because I'd seen that PPE is like a plastic, but I didn't have the means of getting it, so I decided to use the plastic in place of the PPE. >> That's so impressive. And, we know with Ebola cases how important it is for people to stay hydrated. What can you share with us about how you tried to keep your family members hydrated? >> During the time of their illness, I established IV lines. Only four of them, I would give them the fluid; the the normal, normal saline. I would give them the electrolytes. I was giving them the oral rehydration salt. Giving them the coconut water. You could say any fluid for that matter. Those were what I was feeding them with. >> Mm-hm, wonderful. So, both your mother and father have recovered? How are they doing now? >> Yup, my mom, my father, my older sister; they all recovered and they are doing fine. >> Yeah, and, and what does your community think of the way that you took care of your family and, and they must be very proud of you? >> Yeah, they are very proud of me. Say they admire what I did, and not just my community, but the whole nation. [LAUGH] >> Absolutely, yeah. So, after Ebola arrived, your nursing school was closed and you've come here to Emory to study. What have you learned here and what will you bring back to Liberia? >> From here I have learned new skills. And, I have learned how to do it myself. Like to practice on the mannequins and everything my, my instructor taught me. The perfect way of giving an injection. All of those ones. Because at first, I used to inject but the method that they showed me- I believe that it is very good because that is one of our problems back home, is sites that give the medication. So, at the end of the day you find that most of the patients who complain were upset. It is for I believe that what she taught me, in my mind I'm going to take it back. >> So, how does it compare studying nursing here in the United States to studying in your home country? What are the differences that you see? >> The, the difference is that for here everything that the instructor, the instructor would tell you, you would see it. And you would perform it before you can be taken out of hospital to do your practical on a living being. >> And now, your nursing school has re-opened, correct? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, so, what are your plans when you return to Liberia and your home? >> My plans and my return back to Liberia, I would like to help my colleagues the girls in education, especially those girls that are former rebels. They don't have the means of educating themself. I would like, Because before I could come here, I did establish an NGO on my own, and my intention is to help the orphans who have very high stats, because of the crisis, they are unable to go to school. So, I want to look at that direction and also, girls' education. The youth need to be educated, because once you are educated and then if a circumstance like this comes, you will know what to do. Like for a typical example, to me it's not Ebola [FOREIGN]. People never had an idea of a virus, so I believe that was how the virus spread. Yeah, because of the lack of knowledge. >> Well, I think the girls in Liberia have a wonderful role model in you to look up to. If there was one thing that you wanted people all over the world to know about Ebola, what would you share? >> I would like for them to know that Ebola is real. It exists. And, they should know the preventative measures for Ebola because that is the only way we can get rid of Ebola to follow the proper preventative measures. Because there is no cure and there is no treatment of the virus, so what an individual can do is the best, do the preventative measures. >> What do you think the future will be like in Liberia when you go home? >> Well, the future of Liberia right now, because of the virus, most of the activities like the eco, the economic status, education, health, all have been broken down. Like, when it comes to health workers and things. At first, we were already suffering from low health worker service, and then Ebola came and took almost 50% of the health workers that we had. So, that is one of the main things. So, people need that conscious, should be encouraged to get in the health sector. Because a healthy nation is capable of doing good things. >> Well, I want to thank you so much, Fatu. I'm so impressed by your courage and inspired. And, I think that the students that are taking our course will be too, so thank you for sharing with us. >> Thank you.
