RIYADH – Dr. Tamara Tayeb has been appointed head of the Ebola response team at the Ministry of Health's Command and Control Center. Dr. Anees Sindi, deputy commander of center, said the appointment embodies the importance the Kingdom attaches to Ebola preparedness and the center's efforts to contain the deadly virus from spreading in the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Sindi noted that though the overall risk to the Kingdom from Ebola remains low, it is essential for the healthcare system to be on alert and fully prepared for a possible contagion. “Preventing the spread of Ebola in Saudi Arabia is a high priority for the nation and its healthcare community. In spite of its low-probability occurrence, the virus carries a high risk potential,” he said. Sindi also underscored that the public, particularly those traveling abroad, should understand the symptoms of the disease and the steps they need to take in the event of an infection. Tayeb will be responsible for ensuring that the Kingdom is prepared to respond effectively to any Ebola-specific health threats. She will focus exclusively on the disease through coordination of all CCC platforms and external agencies, including the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to develop and implement solutions that serve and protect the people of the country. Tayeb is a public health expert who has served in the ministry's Communicable Diseases Directorate since 2012 as its director of the National Tuberculosis Control Program. She has been the leader of the Public Health Platform since early 2014 and played a leading role in developing the response plan for Ebola during the last Haj season.
