By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In order to support the operations of the Mobile Clinic, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing has boosted the Ministry of Health with a 20,000 (twenty thousand) dollar in cheque.
The cheque was presented at the commemoration of the maiden outreach service of Hospitals on Wheels at the conference room of the ministry in Freetown on the 1st of September 2023.
The Medical Superintendent of Hospitals on Wheels, Dr. Yeabu Kargbo in her address noted that the four buses donated by the Chinese government are to ensure that every Sierra Leonean regardless of where they are and the language they speak, gets equal access to high-quality affordable health care.
She said with the 4 buses, over 37,000 (thirty-seven thousand) Sierra Leoneans especially newborn babies as early as two days old, pregnant women, the elderly, adults, and young adults receive free health care right at their doorsteps.
She stated that the mobile clinic has done more than just provide health care, but makes sure that every patient is dignified at every level and their responses are immense.
She recalled how recently a six-year-old girl was saved from being amputated after she was spotted at a village in Bombali District, provided with an emergency treatment by the mobile clinic and later brought to Connaught Hospital for further treatment.
She also mentioned the situation of a 70-year-old man they found at Maforki village in PortLoko District who had no pulse, but due to the hard work of the emergency team, they ensured that he had a pulse to receive medical care. She thanked her team and the Ministry of Health for providing support to her despite working in extreme conditions.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Sartie Kenneh expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for donating the mobile clinic which he said creates the opportunity to take quality health care to remote villages. He also said that the donation manifested the fact that China has been a sisterly country to Sierra Leone, a relationship that he said they will continue to cherish.
He pointed out that male attendance in hospitals across the country is exceptionally low, but said above 50% male attendance of the mobile clinics was recorded. He stated that they are planning to have each bus per district as the four that are currently in use serve all 16 districts in the country which is not enough.
In his keynote address, the Chinese Ambassador noted that the mobile clinic is a special treat from the envoy of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to the people of Sierra Leone. He said with the hard work of the operation team and local health department and with the close collaboration between the two countries, the clinic will remain part of the important projects of the health ministry.
He said he has come to realize that the mobile clinic has traveled in the 16 districts of the country serving more than 7,000 (seven thousand) people especially vulnerable babies, pregnant women, and the elderly in hard-to-reach areas. He said though the project has some challenges he has engaged with the Medical Superintendent on the way forward to tackle those challenges.
Ambassador Wang noted that last year the Embassy supported the project with 170,000 (one hundred and seventy thousand) dollars. He said they have invited the Chinese medical team to provide support and participate in the outreach team of the clinic in the future.
The Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jelikatu Mustapha said the Chinese Ambassador has long ago demonstrated his government’s commitment to providing Universal Health Coverage for all people across the country.
She expressed the ministry’s appreciation for the continued commitment of the Chinese ambassador in helping to tackle health issues in the country and looked forward to continuing working with him for quality health service delivery.
The presentation of the cheque by the Ambassador to the Deputy Health Minister II climaxed the ceremony.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (04/09/23)
