More than 175 Nigerian medics have arrived in Liberia and Sierra Leone to join the fight against Ebola, the first of 600 volunteers promised by the country which contained its own outbreak earlier this year.

Nigeria’s ambassador to Liberia, Chigozie Obi-Nnadozie, commended the medics who landed there, noting that their self-less action is a refection of the African spirit.

The medics will boost weak local health systems that are also struggling to contain other preventable diseases as Ebola discourages people from going to clinics for fear of contracting the fever.

The worst outbreak of Ebola on record has killed at least 6,187 people in the three worst-affected countries – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – according to the latest data from the World Health Organisation.