A biomedical scientist from St Albans has been awarded the Queen’s Ebola Medal for his life-saving work in the Ebola stricken country of Sierra Leone.

David Anti, 45, who works in the infection and immunity department of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, volunteered at Ebola Treatment Centres across Sierra Leone helping to test blood samples for Ebola.

His work helped to significantly reduce the time it took to turnaround blood tests from five days to less than 24 hours.

Mr Anti said: “I am grateful to my dear wife, Francisca and three children Desiree, Esther and Samuel, who allowed me to be away for five weeks.

"My time in Sierra Leone was hard work in very hot and challenging conditions. Nevertheless, I found the whole experience very fulfilling and I am pleased to have been able to play a part in overcoming such a deadly disease.

"It is a real honour to have been recognised in this way.”

Mr Anti also travelled to remote locations across the country to train and educate local healthcare professionals on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, which is used to help diagnose Ebola.

The scientist was presented his medal by Trust chief executive, Dr Tracey Batten along with six other colleagues.

Dr Tracey Batten said: “I am proud of the role our staff played in tackling Ebola in Sierra Leone. Using their NHS experience, they selflessly took on a potentially life threatening challenge to help those in great need, and ultimately help to defeat the spread of Ebola.

“I am delighted to be able to present Queen’s Ebola Medal to all of them for their life-saving work.”

The Queen’s Ebola Medal is awarded to recognise individuals supporting Her Majesty’s Government’s efforts in West Africa to reduce and eradicate the spread of Ebola.