Kailahun, Mar. 30, 015 (MOHS) – The Kailahun Government Hospital is to benefit from a 100 Beds Paediartric and Maternity Project worth $1. 1 Million U S Dollars.
Deputy Health and Sanitation Minister 1, Mr. Foday Sawi Turning the Sod
Addressing the Turning of the Sod ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Mr. Foday Sawi described the event as an important day for the people of Kailahun, noting that the project when completed will be the second biggest health facility of its kind in the country.
The Deputy Minister on behalf of the Minister of Health expressed thanks to UNICEF for their continued support to the Ministry, and the Italian and German Natcoms of UNICEF for providing the funds.
“This welcome intervention in Kailahun will ensure access to high quality maternal and newborn care to thousands of women and children who would have otherwise been deprive given rise to morbidity and mortality that could easily be prevented,” opined Mr. Foday Sawi
Cross section of audience
The Director of Hospitals and Laboratory Services, Dr. Victor Matt Lebbey commended UNICEF for the bold step in complimenting the efforts of the Ministry, describing the project as an attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in reducing the number of child’s death through preventable causes while giving birth.
The District Medical officer Dr. James Squire said as they progressively entering the post Ebola phase, the District Health Management Team and hospital have put together immediate, medium and long term as their post recovery plans in rebranding the hospital into a new phase.
He advocated for a 24 hours electricity and water supply in the district and an emergency preparedness programme where staff would be trained for any outbreak.
Giving an overview of the project, UNICEF Construction Manager, Cormac Rooney, said the Paediatric and Maternity hospital when completed will be equipped with 100 beds, 10 Wards, 2 Intensive Care Units, Delivery rooms, Operation theatre, Multi-purpose room, Conference room as well as offices and storage space.
The Turning of the Sod for the start of the construction was performed by the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Mr. Sawi on behalf of the Minister Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah.
KK/MOHS
