Ebola outbreak: Liberia's newest, largest treatment clinic already at capacity

[The CBC's senior correspondent Adrienne Arsenault, producer Stephanie Jenzerand videographerJean-Franois Bisson are in Liberia's capital city of Monrovia reporting on that country's ongoing battle against the deadly Ebola virus.]

Liberia's newestand largestEbola treatment centre was desperately needed to combat the spread of the fatal virus, yet the facility has barely helped to stop the worst outbreak in recorded history.

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The centre, known as Island Clinic,was exactly seven days old when CBC News toured the green zone,"or safe zone, of the facility on Sunday.It has almost doubled the Ebola treatment capacity in Liberia's capital city of Monrovia, a major urban centre overwhelmed by an exponentially increasing number of cases of the deadly virus.

When it opened, there were 120 beds available.Within hours, the clinic was already stretchedevery space available filled with the citys most frightened and seriously ill.Somehow, room was made for more patients and currently, by adding beds and sofas where possible, staff estimate the total number is likely closer to 200.

The World Health Organization funded the clinic and handed it over to Liberias Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, while UNICEF, the World Food Programme and USAID have joined the WHO donating supplies and support.

'A drop of water in an ocean'

WHO spokesperson Pieter Desloovere saidthe building cant handle increasing capacity yet again because of the heavy load on the water supply and electricity, but he acknowledges the need.

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Its a drop of water in an ocean, he says.The demand is so huge.

Another challengewill be to keep Island Clinic fully staffed, not to mention finding qualified or willing-to-be-trained workers to help run the more than 20 planned facilities in Liberia over the coming months.

There is another problem brewing at the facility, as well: a threat by workers to walk off the job by Tuesday over wages.Many staff receive about $300 permonth, but some told CBC Newstheyve heard rumours the government is about to reduce that paycheck.

We agreed to risk our lives, but we are not satisfied with the pay," one health worker told the CBCs Adrienne Arsenault.

CBC coverage ofLiberia's fight against Ebola

Be sure to follow Adrienne Arsenault and Stephanie Jenzeron Twitter at @adriearsenault and @StephJenzeras they provide the most recent news and coverage from Monrovia.