Meeting the health program millennium development goals by 2015 (part two)
The ministry of health is working assiduously to bring changes to the peoples’ health in the country. Coming from a recent visit from Sierra Leone I have the opportunity of meeting three prominent players that are dedicated in seeing both solo and massive efforts combined to reach a meaningful health for all in Sierra Leone. I first met Dr Joseph, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences in the Medical School in his office at the Connaught hospital Freetown. We had a lengthy privileged conversation. Interesting to note that the gentleman has a triple masters and a doctoral degree in his profession and has transformed the class rooms from the traditional setting into a white blackboard and power point. (Photo: Dr. Augustine Kamara)
Remaining to be seen is the implementation of internal and external support which will bring more support system for distant learning to which we both agree, as the demand for growth by the nursing staffs is highly solicited, and both core member faculty staff is in high demand. We both suggested that qualified members of the Diaspora should volunteer to fill this gap especially that of mental health, maternal and child health as well as allied health sciences.
The need for expansion in infrastructure is long overdue. He mandated me to help in recruiting interested candidates from the USA if possible. It is possible of course, if a proper mechanism for recruiting from the Diaspora is put in place as many I know from the Diaspora health sector, would like to give their services back to Sierra Leone. At present we believe progress is ongoing for meeting our goals and professionals in the health sector and others sectors of life are urged to buckle up and be prepared to return to give our meaningful contributions.
The day I was at the Lungi International airport, I ran into the Deputy Chief Medical Officer in the person of Dr Alhassan Lans Sesay, being an old friend, and of the same graduate medical schools from Egypt, we both found pleasure in renewing our brotherhood. In the middle of our discussion, we looked at the urgent needs of the health sector that needs to be addressed. Dr. Alhassan, the man on the ground emphasized the need for all donor organizations, private or public, national or international to concentrate on improving the “EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICES” delivery to the entire country. This comprise of the initiating the emergency call to the final delivery of the emergency services required. If we think of the “Okada incidents in the cities and the snake bites in remote villages” emergencies can occur anywhere and at all times.
The need to massively educate the population is important and what we call community participation with minimal training in trivial situations could be taken care of even before the arrival of an ambulance or fire force or helicopter. Again another area of concern we spoke about is the cold chain which has improved a lot especially with the constant electricity supply in the country is the efficacy of our vaccines and other perishable medications and blood banks are now seen to function better.
Another health provider ready to give his expertise knowledge is a senior colleague, who is a combined trained Franco-Egyptian surgeon, in the person of Dr Alhusine Abdul Mahmoud Dawo. I also bumped into him and he is not only ready to return but planning in bringing along an ultra modern diagnostic center to rapidly improve and meet the millennium development goals by 2015. I am sure with more health education, and campaign in our local and international media, awareness and more health values in various areas would be achieved. Stay tuned for more exclusive health matters next edition.
Written by Dr. Augustine A. Kamara, Virginia, USA
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