Govt paying $2m for 20 Kiwi medics who volunteered for Ebola duty

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman. Photo / Ross Setford

At least 20 New Zealand doctors or nurses have expressed interest in travelling to West Africa to treat Ebola victims, as the Government confirms it will pay for volunteers to travel to the region.

The Cabinet yesterday approved $2 million in funding for up to 24 local health professionals to work in an Australian-managed hospital in Sierra Leone, one of the countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said personnel would be sent on a voluntary basis only, with the first deployment expected early next year.

He said Ebola was having a devastating effect on parts of West Africa, claiming 5000 lives and infecting a further 14,000 people.

"If the developed world fails to act, case numbers will exponentially increase, with devastating consequences for long-term stability in Africa."

A handful of New Zealand medical staff have already worked in Ebola zones. It's understood a further 20 or more workers have put their hands up to go to Sierra Leone, but were waiting for more detail on working conditions.

Dr Coleman said the Government took its responsibility for any volunteers seriously and would ensure they had access to medical treatment, including evacuation to Europe if required.

Volunteers would work at a British-built, Australian-run facility with capacity for 100 patients and 240 staff.

On their return from six or 12-week postings they would not face quarantine but would self-monitor for 21 days.

A $1 million assistance package was also approved for Pacific countries. The new funding to fight Ebola followed an earlier commitment of $2 million to United Nations agencies in West Africa.