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The story of the doctors and nurses at St Mary's Hospital, Lacor |
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Jonathan Dimbleby presents a documentary account of the courage and self sacrifice of health workers in Uganda who fought against the first ebola epidemic to take place in a densely populated area. |
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What would happen if ebola, a deadly and highly contagious virus, left the remote heart of Africa and found its way into a major city? It's hard to contemplate the damage ebola could cause and, as yet, it's a problem we have not had to face.
Until recently ebola virus had only ever affected remote communities. While it was devastating to the people exposed it was relatively easy to contain. Then, in late September 2000, student nurses fell sick in the Lacor Hospital of Gulu, provincial capital of the war-torn North West of Uganda. |
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The hospital staff realised they faced ebola. They knew the consequences if they failed. Under the inspirational leadership of Dr Matthew Lukwiya they set about creating isolation conditions. They formed a team of nurses prepared to risk their lives and they went out into the towns and villages to try to bring the sick in before the illness spread.
Inevitably the staff themselves fell ill, and towards the end of the
epidemic the leading doctor, Matthew Lukwiya also succumbed to the virus.
He died in December 2000.
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This is the story of the hospital and their sacrifice, told in the words of the doctors and nurses who were at the frontline against ebola.
More pictures from Lacor Hospital >>
 Listen again to the programme
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