African Christian Fellowship, South Region and Sierra Leone Action announce a dynamic partnership for sustainable healthcare in Sierra Leone
January 5, 2015 – Stone Mountain, GA, USA and Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone Action, an organization comprising a global team of Sierra Leonean physicians and other professionals, and African Christian Fellowship USA-South Region (ACFUSA-SR) an arm of African Christian Fellowship (ACF) USA, Inc., today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing both organizations to work together to enhance medical and community services in Sierra Leone.
Making the announcement were Dr. S. Ahmed Tejan-Sie, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), USA and a founding member of Sierra Leone Action and Dr. Emmanuel Nzewi, a Civil Engineering Professor in Texas, USA and the President of the
African Christian Fellowship USA-South Region (ACFUSA-SR). The joint announcement highlighted the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate a synergistic partnership between the two organizations to eradicate the epidemic of Ebola and address other healthcare and community issues in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Tejan-Sie stated, “We are pleased to have this agreement in place with the ACFUSA-SR so we can work together seamlessly towards ending the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in Sierra Leone.”
Dr. Nzewi added, “ACFUSA-South Region is delighted to establish this partnership with Sierra Leone Action. Together we will optimize the development efforts in the communities we will serve in Sierra Leone. One of our goals in establishing this important collaboration is to combine our efforts to end the devastation caused by the Ebola Virus Disease. We will use technology, education and health care extension efforts.”
Sierra Leone Action is focused on ending the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The organization, which has been named as an implementing partner by the Government of Sierra Leone, is working to put plans in place to commence a Convalescent Serum Therapy (CST) study and treatment.
The African Christian Fellowship USA-South Region (ACFUSA-SR) is one of the five regions of the national ACFUSA – a Diaspora group founded more than 30 years ago. It has been extensively vested in conducting medical, economic and leadership missions in the West African Region for more than two decades and recently built a clinic in rural Samuel Town, Sierra Leone. ACFUSA-SR is deeply saddened by the many precious lives that have been lost and the continuing devastation in West Africa.
In October 2014, the ACFUSA-SR co-sponsored a community-wide event in Florida, USA entitled, “Beyond Ebola: Building Sustainable Healthcare Infrastructure in West Africa,” which was organized and hosted by Heritage Africa, Inc. (www.Heritageafricainc.org).
Dr. Diuto Esiobu, Chair of the Board of Directors of Heritage Africa, Inc. and a member of ACFUSA, commented, “The MOU signed by SLA and ACFUSA-SR is an integral part of the continuing efforts to partner with organizations with a similar vision of hope for Africa, an
important strategic alliance between co-stakeholders that will speed up our intervention on poor healthcare access in Sierra Leone and eventually expand to all of West Africa. The MOU is an integral part of the continuing efforts to partner with organizations with a similar vision of hope for all of West Africa.”
Mr. Elijah Adeoye, the Director of Missions for ACFUSA-SR stated, “The MOU signed by ACFUSA-South Region and Sierra Leone Action, will foster a progressive coupling that encourages the use of the resources of both organizations within Sierra Leone and internationally to conduct research programs and projects; exchange technical material, equipment and resources to support joint ventures; seek local and international funding separately and jointly to facilitate the projects that will be implemented; and host seminars and conferences that are of mutual interest and which will serve communities in Sierra Leone, creating a model for other West African communities.”
Dr. J. Bankole Thompson, MD, PhD, a physician and member of SLA, working at Allegiance Health and a Clinical Assistant Professor at MSUCOM in Michigan, USA added, “We are fortunate that so many ACFUSA-SR members work within the medical, scientific and technical communities such that we can immediately explore the formation of a scientific advisory panel. This combined knowledge and expertise will support our common interests which will ultimately help communities in Sierra Leone.”
Dr. Tejan-Sie concluded, “As we establish and implement joint programs we will be drawing on the resources of both organizations and working closely with community groups to ensure we create what is needed. Additionally we will work in partnership to create the implementation design and train those on the ground to facilitate the success and longevity of programs.”
ACFUSA South Region, Dr. Emmanuel Nzewi Sierra Leone Action, Aderonke Bademosi WilsonStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2015, https:. All rights reserved.
