By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
Residents of Normo Chiefdom in the eastern Kenema district earlier this month celebrated the inauguration of the first ever health center in their chiefdom.
The thirty-bed capacity mini hospital is located in Faama, one of about seven communities in the chiefdom. The facility was constructed with funding from the Norwegian humanitarian group Harald Splass Diacon.
Normo Chiefdom is located closer to the border with neighboring Liberia than it is to the headquarters town of Kenema, and as a result pregnant women and sick children have suffered the brunt of the difficulty in accessing healthcare services. The problems of the residents of these communities were compounded by the poor road network leading to the chiefdom, which impacts every other aspects of life.
The new facility is an upgrade of the former one structure Peripheral Health Unit. With two new structures erected, in addition to the increase in bed capacity, there is a larger labor room in the center now. The project also entailed the installation of a solar lighting system which allows for the powering of a new freezer to store perishable medications.
The district health authorities said the new health center is a relief for the community. Dr Donald Grant, District Medical Officer, said it would remove a huge strain on the fragile health system of the district, especially reducing the suffering of pregnant women.
“The health service for the district has been challenging especially for pregnant women. They can’t deliver their babies here because they are referred to Kenema and the road is bad,” Dr Grant said at the inauguration ceremony of the facility.
He however noted that they would need to send some staff to the center and integrate the hospital as part of their programs in the district.
“The district health management team will now see how it can harmonize its programs to salvage the situation,” he stated.
According to health practitioners, the new health facility is equipped enough to handle minor operations. This means that the people of Faama and other nearby villages can now travel a lesser distance for medical care.
And because of its location, the hospital is also expected to serve people beyond Kenema District, to as far as neighboring Kailahun. Officials expect patients from even villages in neighboring Liberia.
In this regard, Dr Grant warned of a potential for the spread of infectious diseases across the border. He therefore spoke about the need to collaborate with the Liberian ministry of health to strengthen diseases surveillance.
“We will need to collaborate with our counterparts in Liberia for effective surveillance. But we will assure the Norwegians that we will take good care of this health facility,” he said.
© 2019 Politico Online
