*Former Head of State to be flown out for Medical Treatment*_

*Freetown* – His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has instructed and given an excutive clearance for the former Head of State, Valentine Strasser, to be evacuated for medical treatment due to the severity of his illness.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio who made a surprise visit to his former colleague at the Aspen Medical Hospital on Saturday 5th January 2019 to get an update on Strasser’s illness, assured the former Head of State that Government will do everything it takes for him to regain his health.

President Bio also thanked the medical staff at Aspen Medical Hospital for the high quality patient care they have shown towards the former Head of state.

Briefing the President on Strasser’s illness, the Commanding Officer, Joint Medical Unit, Lt. Col. Dr Stephen Sevalie said that the former Head of State suffers from Peripheral Artery Disease affecting the left leg. Dr Sevalie said that the former Head of State will require a surgery to re-establish blood supply and that should be undertaken by a vascular surgeon.

Dr Sevalie said that the country does not have a vascular surgeon and as such the former Head of State will need to be flown out. As a military officer himself, Dr Stephen Sevalie said: “I want to thank the President who has shown great care and support to his comrade and former Head of State since Strasser was first admitted at 34 military hospital for three (3) weeks until his transfer to the Aspen Medical Hospital.”

The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Alpha T. Wurie, who also accompanied the President to the hospital, confirmed that Government is finalising the arrangement for the former Head of State to be flown to Ghana for medical treatment as soon as possible. The President was also accompanied by the Minister of Political Affairs, Ambassador Foday Yumkella.

Valentine Strasser served as Head of State and Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council from 1992 – 1996.

*For more enquiries*
*State House Media and Communications Unit*
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UPDATE ON FORMER HEAD OF STATE, VALENTINE STRASSER*_

The former Head of State, Valentine Strasser is alive and still admitted at the Aspen Medical Hospital in Freetown.

Following the Executive Clearance by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has concluded arrangement for the medical evacuation of Valentine Strasser.

The former Head of State will depart Lungi International Airport tomorrow, Thursday 10th January 2019 on a chartered air ambulance to Accra, Ghana, for Medical Treatment. He will also be accompanied by a team of medical staff to Accra.

As a Nation, the former Head of State will be kept in our collective prayers and we wish him a speedy recovery.