Conference participants map out the future of Mabessaneh hospital
Lunsar, Feb. 19 (SLENA) The Director of the St John of God Catholic Hospital, Br. Peter Lansana Dawoh who is also one of the Counsellors to the Provincial Superior, has appealed to stakeholders to help map out ways through which the operations of the Hospitaller Mission and Health Care Delivery Services in Sierra Leone can be improved and sustained so as to enable it cope with modern challenges. Photo: Opening Session of the Golden Jubilee Conference of the St John of God Catholic Hospital in Lunsar
He said they are living in a global village of technology where people continue to nurture huge expectations and at a time when the list of donors, Missionary Brothers and Volunteers is shrinking every day.
Br. Dawoh was delivering a welcome address at the official opening of the Conference of the Golden Jubilee of the St John of God Mission in Sierra Leone, last weekend in Lunsar.
He said the St John of God Catholic Hospital otherwise known as ‘Mabesseneh’ Hospital of Lunsar, has been in existence for nearly 50 years now and has been able to touch the lives of many people with the help of the Order and Developing Partners who poured in their resources, strength and energy in a bid to actualise the dream of the Mission.
The Director made particular reference to the Missionary Brothers of the Order and two Xvarian Brothers, the Religious Sisters of the Clarissan Missionary Sisters as well the Volunteers, who gave their best in making the Mission become a household name in Sierra Leone, adding that his administration is so much grateful for such tremendous support which is more the reason why he feels compelled to maintain these successes for the next several decades.
He said the Mission has been the last hope of people in terms of quality and efficient medical services in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries.
The Chairman of the opening ceremony, Br. Michael M Koroma, who doubles as Provincial Secretary / Bursar, said the cardinal reason for which the Conference was being organised under the theme: ‘Golden Jubilee of the St John of God Mission in Sierra Leone Towards Sustainability In A Bold And Hopeful Hospitability’ was for them to strategise for a workable solution, adding that he has absolute trust in the participants to help them achieve the desired goal.
Rev. Sr. Eliza Pedella who is President of Major Superiors in the Mission, observed that Sierra Leoneans have the required potentials to help them not only to offer quality services to patients but to as well be able to transform and develop the csountry. She zeroed down with the message of the Holy Father for the sick which says,’ Whenever we tenderly draw near to those in need of care, we bring hope and smile of God into the contradictions of this world’.
In his contribution, the Port Loko District Medical Officer, Dr. Adikali A. Kamara said the Mission has worked so hard to improve the health status of the people of this country and observed that the Mabesseneh Hospital has continued to expand beyond expectation by the provision of modern diagnostic procedures, x-ray and a well equipped theatre with Surgeon Specialists where serious and complicated cases are properly handled.
Dr. Kamara said Mabesseneh has not only become a National Referral Hospital over the years, but that it has immensely contributed in both secondary and preventive care by the provision of immunization, maternal and child health care services despite the huddles the organisation is often faced with.
The District Medical Officer said the Golden Jubilee came at a time when Sierra Leone was fighting to meet the MDGs against 2015 and praised the Mission and urged for a concerted effort for the achievement of those goals.
The three-day conference was officially declared open by the Provincial Superior, Br Bartholomew A Kamara who re-echoed the appeal for all to help map out the best road ‘Towards Sustainability in a bold and Hopeful Hospitality’.
He confirmed that there has been a steady improvement at the Hospital in the past 10 years and defined sustainable development as the way to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations.
While stressing for the judicious use of the resources of the Mission in a sustainable manner, he said it would be difficult to achieve the targeted goals without an effective leadership.
The Provincial Superior went further to catalogue the tools required for viability such as the effective management of resources, employees satisfaction, skills and competence, together with the satisfaction of the client, adding that they should always make provisions for the poor and vulnerable ones in society.
The Apostolic Administrator of the Makeni Diocese, Br. Fernando Aguilo Martinez from Spain and a battery of clergies from Barcelona and other parts of the world were in attendance at the Conference in Lunsar as shown in the photos above.
HB/P’Loko/SLENA
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