Sierra Leone's most senior doctor has died of Ebola just hours after an experimental drug to treat him arrived at Freetown's airport, The Guardian reported on Friday.
Dr. Victory Willoughby is the 11th of the country's 120 doctors to die from the virus, during an outbreak that has killed almost 7,000 people.
The country's chief medical officer said the death of Willoughby, who tested positive for Ebola on Saturday, was a major loss for Sierra Leone.
"Dr Victor Willoughby was a mentor to us physicians and a big loss to the medical profession," said Brima Kargbo. "He has always been available to help junior colleagues."
The 67-year-old died just hours after the experimental treatment arrived in the country for him. The arrival of ZMAb, developed in Canada, had raised hopes for Willoughby’s survival. But he died before a dose could be administered, said Kargbo.
ZMAb is related to ZMapp, another experimental drug that has been used to treat some Ebola patients. Their efficacy in treating Ebola has not yet been proven.
Earlier this year the country's only virologist, Dr Shek Humar Khan, was killed by the virus.