The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved a project in the sum of Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($300,000), in the form of a Technical Assistance (Grant) to enhance the availability of safe blood supply through institutional capacity building and social mobilization activities.
Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Ali President of the Islamic Development Bank said the President Ernest Bai Koroma led government fulfilled the conditions and requirements for the “Technical Assistant Grant” aimed at addressing the following components in Sierra Leone: Provision of Laboratory Equipment and Supply: Social Mobilization, Need Assessment and Capacity Building in that part of the health sector.
At a signing ceremony on Saturday October 8th, 2016 at the fringes of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2016 meeting by Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Ali, President of IDB and Mr. Momodu Kargbo Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the former described the money as a “Grant” in response to a request by the Government of Sierra Leone to enhance the availability of safe blood supply through institutional capacity building and Social mobilization activities.
According to Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Ali, the “Technical Assistant Grant” will also support the need assessment and development of a proposal for strengthening the National Blood Transfusion sector.”
“The “Technical Assistant Grant” will provide Laboratory Equipment and Supply, support the acquisition of selected laboratory equipment and supplies required for testing, storage and transportation of blood including cool – box, refrigeration and related supplies and reagents.” Said IDB President.
The project will be implemented in close collaboration and technically assisted by the World Health Organization (WHO): and it will see the designing, production and disseminating of communication tools to conduct, advocate, campaign for blood collection, short-term training of thirty five (35) health workers on blood collection and testing and waste management.
It will also support the overall assessment of the NBTS which among others include assessing the existing service and gaps at the regional blood transfusion centers in terms of their progress towards regional centralization of blood services and developing a costed plan of action.
Consequently, this proposed activities will increase the pool of voluntary blood donors through capacity building as well as enhancing the confidence among the population in the safety and clinical effectiveness of blood transfusion.
According to Mr. Momodu Kargbo Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Technical Assistance will benefit the four regional Blood Transmission Centers in the Country including Western Area, Bo, Makeni and Port Loko.
He assured the IDB President of proper use of the grant and said the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma has been working with United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) and other multilateral Agencies to boost and strengthen Sierra Leone’s Health system.
In an interview, Mr. Momodu Kargbo described the grant as “good.” “Anything good that comes to our Country to improve the health situation is good.”
According to him, Ebola ravaged our health system and we are now getting up to prevent any other shock.
“Blood is vital to human life. An effective and fully equipped blood bank saves many lives through transfusion.
An ill – equipped blood bank stand the risk of producing wrong results of tests, thereby undermining efforts of creating a society of healthy people.” The Hon. Minister of Finance Concluded.
Pasco Gerald Temple
Information Attache
Embassy of Sierra Leone to the United States
1701 19th St. NW
Washington, DC
20009
Tel:+202 4466958
