Sierra Leone Health Minister pursues across country health facilities tour
Freetown, Jan. 13, 015 (MOHS) – In pursuing his Vision for 2015-2016 and 2016-2020 on building resilient system for health in Sierra Leone, Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah has started his first in a series of assessment tour of government health facilities across the country. (Photo: Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah making his statement)
Making his first visit to the Ola During Children’s and the Princess Christian Maternity hospitals in Freetown on Tuesday January 13, 2015, the Minister in a meeting with senior staff of the two hospitals reiterated the need to transform all Tertiary Regional hospitals into a University Teaching hospital.
The high table (R-L) Chief Nursing Officer, Matron Hossinatu Kanu, Permanent Secretary, Mr. David Wayland Sinford Banya, Health Minister, Dr. A.B. Fofanah, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo and Newly appointed Director of Hospitals and Laboratory Services, Dr. Victor Matt Lebby
His mission was to assess the level of administrative and professional management of the hospitals, the challenges and constraints and to give the necessary support that would regain the country’s past glory in health care development.
“It takes time in meeting the challenges ahead, but optimistic that with divine professional sacrifice, patriotism, commitment, accountability and dedication to service within the frame work of team spirit, the desired goal will be achieved”, Dr. Fofanah maintained.
The Minister appealed to his audience to put together their specific roles and responsibility with honesty, sincerity of purpose and professionalism, noting that to achieve the ultimate goal every sector; porters, cleaners and the entire workforce are important in the fight to make the necessary impact in building a resilient health system for Sierra Leone.
He said he alone cannot win the battle in making the Ministry a more viable institution, and assured them that being a constituent of the same discipline; he would together with their cooperation provide a conducive working environment for posterity.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo told his staff that the Minister’s vision is not a witch hunt but a mission for the transformation of a once battered health system placed in a deplorable state due to the 11 years civil war and other challenges.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brima Kargbo making his remarks
“In the quest for transformation, our thinking for positive actions, punctuality, ethics and code of practice, and attitude to work must be transparently demonstrated with accountability in our stewardship as health professionals”, the Chief Medical Officer opined.
He expressed satisfaction over the utilization and accessibility of the hospitals by lactating mothers and pregnant women noting that it demonstrates the fact that the free health care beneficiaries have beginning to restore confidence in the country’s health care system even at the height of the Ebola threat.
The Medical Superintendent Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, Dr. Alimamy Koroma reported significant improvement in scaling down maternal mortality rate, improvement in the free health care programme, positive implementation of the World Bank Performance Based Financing (PBF) support in purchasing drugs when out of stock, among other success stories.
The Medical Superintendent, P.C.M. Hospital, Dr. Alimamy Koroma
Challenges include inadequate professional administrative staff, accessing of funds, need for additional supply of elbow gloves.
The newly appointed Director of Hospitals and Laboratory Services, Dr. Victor Matt Lebby
Other speakers include the Chief Nursing Officer, Matron Hossinatu Kanu, the newly appointed Director of Hospitals and Laboratory Services, Dr. Victor Matt Lebby, the Director of Human Resource for Health, Haja Mariatu Koroma, and the newly appointed Permanent Secretary and Chairman for the occasion, Mr. David Wayland Sinford Banya.
A conducted tour of various wards and units in the hospitals formed part of the Minister’s visit.
JAK/KK/MOHS
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2015, https:. All rights reserved.
