How galling it is to watch world leaders meet to discuss ways of preventing ebola from reaching the wider world.

Ebola was first diagnosed in Zaire (now Republic of Congo) in the 1970s. Since then it has killed hundreds of black Africans.

Pharmaceutical companies decided not to invest vast amounts of money in research of the virus because it did not kill enough people. Leaders of the wealthier nations viewed it as an African virus so why should the western world worry about it?

Ebola, like aids in the 1980s, was ignored until it reached America, then vast amounts of money was spent on research and hopefully a cure.

If the leaders around the world put the money spent on wars into fighting illness, disease and poverty, the world would become a better place for all of us to live in.

It appears it is OK for black Africans to die of a disease but when that disease becomes a threat to the wider world and a threat to the white race, money appears to be no object. Why is the life of a black African considered to be worth less than a member of the white race? We are all equal.

Martin Webb Swindon Road Swindon