MOHS donates Free Health Care Medicines and Consumables to the Blind and Deaf
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has donated Free Health Care Medicines and consumables to the Milton Margai School for the Blind and the National School for the Deaf on Thursday July 12, 2018 at the Milton Margai School for the Blind hall, Wilkinson Road in Freetown. (Photo: Some of the donated items)
The items include Wound dressings, Antimalarial, Analgesics, Antiseptics, Plasters, Antibiotics, Anti Inflammatory Agent, Insecticide Treated Bed nets, Blankets among others.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Ministry, the Acting Chief Pharmacist, Michael Jack Lansana said the donation is as a result of the request made by them to the Minister of Health and Sanitation a couple of days ago.
He informed the gathering that under the Free Health Care Initiative, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation supplies essential medical commodities to facilities across Sierra Leone to cater for basic health conditions that are prevalent in the society.
Mr. Jack Lansana reiterated that the programme provides health care treatment free of charge to some of the most vulnerable citizens including children under-five years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers, Ebola survivors, persons with disabilities amongst others.
He stated that President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio has envisioned the Free Health Care Initiative to cover not only the current targeted group but to extend the scope to school going children, the disabled and disadvantaged as their health is of concern and critical during the formative years of growth and learning.
He said in accordance with the goal, these medical supplies will support the students of the two schools in improving access to basic essential medicines, adding that these supplies are now a safeguard against emergencies. He thanked and recognized staff from both schools for their tireless dedication to the education and care of these children.
In her statement, the Senior Pharmacist, Directorate of Drugs and Medical Supplies, Jatu Abdulai said the consignment is in accordance with the President’s vision for the free health care initiative to cover Ebola survivors and persons with disabilities, and in addition to others currently benefitting from the programme.
She reminded all that the Directorate of Drugs and Medical Supplies regards with utmost importance the security of all commodities under their purview, and that the medical commodities will only be issued to facilities and institutions with the proper approval and documentation.
Pharmacist Abdulai noted that they look forward to expanding the free health care initiative as they work to deliver efficient, high quality health services that are accessible, equitable and affordable throughout Sierra Leone.
Receiving on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Milton Margai School for the Blind, Salieu Turay expressed thanks and appreciations to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for responding to their request in providing a wonderful gift in a form of medicines.
He said on the 26th June this year, the Administration approach the Minister and requested for medicines, adding that what they witnessing is the answer to the request that has been provided in a form of medicines which is not only for the School for the Blind but also for the National School for the Deaf.
Mr. Turay stated that over the years, nurses have been posted to them, but the school out of its megre resources has been spending every term to purchase medicines for early treatment, adding that with these medicines, it will go a long way in treating their children.
He thanked the Minister of Health, Dr. Alpha Wurie for the quick respond to their request and recalled when he was Minister of Education in which he donated a bus to the school.
The Headmaster commended the Ministry through the Directorate of Drugs and Medical Supplies for supplying the medicines and assured them that the items will be used for the intended purpose.
A teacher of the National School for the Deaf, Ms. Marvel Thompson thanked the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the gesture and initiative and promise to work together for the success of the New Direction.
She said the donated medicines will serve as a first aid treatment to prevent further helmet for the blind and deaf children and appealed for free medical care for all disabled children in all government hospitals.
By Kadrie Koroma PRO Unit – MOHS
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