Hastings, a small town in western Africa just outside Sierra Leone s capital Freetown, has its own tale to tell about its battle with the deadly Ebola virus. It is the country s entirely locally-run Ebola treatment unit and is set up in military barracks. The battle that took down around 1200 lives in Sierra Leone is often characterized as a front led by the westerners trying to save the Africans. (Read: Ebola in Sierra Leone: Another doctor acquires Ebola) Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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But Hastings has a different story altogether to gloat about as they prepare to release 63 Ebola survivors. As a symbol of their fight against Ebola, they will receive their release certificates amidst the high mortality rate of the disease observed elsewhere. (Read: Latest Ebola News: Africa to raise funds to fight Ebola). Also Read - 7 reasons why the #BeefBan is good

We are achieving a 60 percent survival rate, proclaims deputy health minister Madina Rahmane, as told to First Post. World Health Organization (WHO) believes that the real death toll could be up to three times higher than the official statistics. The experts along with the clinical director Santigo Seasey will present the survivors to Sierra Leone s First Lady Sia Koroma.

Every survivor is lucky to have beaten the virus , the youngest being just two years old. Statistics show that 70 percent of those infected lost their lives. The majority of the affected population is between the age group of 20 to 35 years, the oldest survivor being 60. (Read: Ebola in West Africa: Death toll reaches 4,960, total 13,268 infected)

The first lady hailed their success and said that can be achieved through discipline and respect for laws in the fight against an epidemic of appalling statistics . She also called the survivors ambassadors to have survive the disease.

Ebola survivors are immune to future infection of the same species of the virus, but the survivors cannot be complacent.The military leader of the barracks has instructed them to act responsibly and prevent other people from infection. Even though the blood of a survivor is no longer infectious, the virus can be transmitted via semen for two to three months after recovery, according to scientists.

The survivors are happy about getting their release certificates as they can proudly show them. They are now free to go back to their communities without any stigma and rejection. UN s world food programme has ensured that the survivors get food, hygiene products and a small amount of cash for them to make their way home.

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