In Sierra Leone: Health Ministry boosts Bo District with Free Health Care Commodities
Continuing promoting transparency and accountability in service delivery and ensuring that drugs are available in hospitals and health centres, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation with support from partners on Tuesday January 29, 2019 handed over six trucks of Free Health Care commodities to the people of Bo district. (Photo: Five of the trucks with the free health care commodities)
The six trucks include two trucks for the Bo Government Hospital and the remaining four trucks for the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for onward distribution to the Health Centres and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) across the district.
Handing over the trucks at the Bo District Council hall in Bo, the Chairman Committee on Health in Parliament, Hon. Moses Baimba Jorkie on behalf of the Deputy Health Minister underscored the importance of the free health care drugs distribution in the district and called on all stakeholders including Paramount Chiefs, the Police, the Military and Civil Society groups to claimed ownership of the drugs to ensure that the targeted people benefit from it.
He informed the gathering that the drugs distribution is to show how committed the government and Ministry of Health are to ensure that their vision to ensure that everybody in Sierra Leone get quality health especially pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under-five.
Hon. Jorkie reminded all that previously the free health care drugs was targeted for three categories of people including pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under-five, but now it has been extended to the disadvantaged people and Ebola Survivors.
He commended the health personnel in the district for the good work, and assured of the Ministry’s continued support in effective and efficient health care delivery services in the district.
The Chairman Bo District Council, Mr. Joseph Munda Bindi said the ceremony shows the joyous moment that has increase in Bo district as they continue to receive services from government.
He reiterated that the district have been receiving some good support from the government up to the end of 2018 and 2019, adding that they have received six Ambulances under the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) and operations are ongoing in the district. He added that they also received support from the government free quality education books, and now they are here to receive a consignment of free health care commodities for the district to support the health system which is commendable.
He told the gathering that these are the support the people of Bo are looking forward to from the government to get a better Sierra Leone and expressed thanks to the government for the efforts they have maintained so far to help improve lives in the country especially in Bo district.
A member of the Committee on Health in Parliament, Hon. Sartie Banya said during the past government, drugs have been coming to the district without the notice of stakeholders, adding that this time round they are calling on all stakeholders and hand over the commodities to them for effective monitoring.
He stated that for the government to succeed on the free health care drugs distribution, they should ensure that stakeholders do proper monitoring on the drugs so that it will not be stolen and taken to the neighboring country to sell.
Hon. Sartie called on all the people of Bo to put hands on deck to monitor the distribution exercise, adding that in a not too far distance, the cost recovery drugs will be introduce for people who are not in the free health care categories to buy medicine at an affordable cost.
The District Medical Officer, Bo, Dr. Ronald Marsh described the handing over ceremony as an important milestone in the history of the hospital as they have been receiving free health care drugs quarterly.
He commended the Health Ministry for the support, and assured that the commodities will reaches the health centres and peripheral health units in a coordinated and transparent manner.
By PRO Unit – MOHS
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2019, https:. All rights reserved.
