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Washington, Nov 17: President Barack Obama today extended his condolences to the family of Martin Salia, a doctor from Sierra Leone who died at a US hospital during treatment for the deadly Ebola virus. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr Martin Salia, who succumbed this morning to Ebola at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, despite the heroic efforts of that institution's incredibly talented team,' Obama said.
Forty-year-old Salia, a native of Sierra Leone and a US resident, was infected with the deadly hemorrhagic fever while treating patients in his home country and was flown to Omaha, Nebraska for treatment on Saturday. Obama said: 'Dr Salia leaves behind loved ones in the US, his adopted homeland, and in Sierra Leone, where he was born.' (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
'He viewed this vocation as his calling, telling his fellow United Methodist Church members that he pursued medicine not because he wanted to, but because he firmly believed it was God's will for him,' Obama said in a statement. Salia was the third patient to be treated at the Omaha hospital, where two other Ebola patients have recovered. (Read: Ebola in US: Ebola infected Sierra Leone doctor dies in Nebraska)
Meanwhile, world's top football players, including Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona's Neymar Jr, Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm, joined forces with health experts to help raise awareness to fight Ebola. In a new campaign '11 Against Ebola', the top players came together to promote preventative measures against the virus. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
They shared 11 simple health messages selected with the help of doctors and health experts from global organisations including the WHO, and the World Bank, using the slogan 'Together, we can beat Ebola' and hashtag #wecanbeatebola. Each message is amplified through animated films, radio content, banners, posters and photographs of the players. 'It's inspiring to see the world's top football players come together to help in the fight against Ebola,' said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.
Source: PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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