A Spanish nurse named Teresa Romero became the first to contact the Ebola virus outside of Africa. Spanish authorities assured the population that they were fully equipped for containing any possible Ebola virus contamination. However, the population in Spain is worried after the nurse contacted the deadly virus and became the first confirmed case of contamination with Ebola, outside of Africa. Teresa Romero is being held and treated for Ebola in a hospital in Madrid. Other six people are held in quarantine after having been in contact with Teresa. Two repatriated Catholic missionaries have already died of Ebola in Madrid.
Health Minister Ana Mato was criticized by the opposition for being unable to properly respond to the Ebola crisis, as well as for not informing the population about the issue. Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s Prime Minister responded: ” Let the healthcare professionals, who have proven prestige, do their job […] The Spanish healthcare system is one of the best in the world”. However, the population began to worry. Health care workers in certain hospitals have even initiated protests in the facilities. Locals of the Alcorcon suburb, where Teresa Romero lives, are terrified: “I don’t want to panic but I’m scared, above all for my kids”, said one of Teresa Romero’s neighbors. Even doctors and nurses have protested in the streets, outside Madrid’s hospitals asking for the health minister to resign. The deputy of the AMYTS health care workers’ union, Gabriel del Pozo declared: “We have no doubts that our professionals are qualified enough. All we ask of the authorities is to ensure that we have enough resources and to let the professionals get on with it”.
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The government is being blamed for cutting funds for healthcare. Gabriel del Pozo declared that austerity policies haved undermined the Carlos III hospital, where all of the Ebola cases which appeared in Spain, had been treated. He went on declaring: “One of the biggest problems we’ve had with this issue is the dismantling of Carlos III […] This has affected the ability to handle this disease in a more co-ordinated, rigorous way.” People have not been properly informed about the Ebola virus. Healthcare professionals, such as Teresa Romero had been well trained and knew how to handle the disease. However, the problem is the fact that numerous other persons might have come in contact with Ebola infected people, and were unfamiliar with the safety procedures.