By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby on Tuesday 25th January 2022, formally handed over the renovation of the Connaught hospital complex to contractors, and also commissioned two Wards at the Hospital in Freetown.
The minister in his statement referred to the hospital as the icon of health in the country, noting that, if it is not fixed to modern standard, people in Sierra Leone will not think that you will solve the health care system in the country. “I have visited Connaught hospital for quite some time now, but the kind of transformation I’m seeing in this current administration is incredible,’’ he admitted.
Dr. Demby noted that his ministry has a clear strategy for not only Connaught but all other hospitals in the country which is to invest in infrastructure as is seen in the new contractors coming in to renovate the buildings.
He commended the doctors and expressed the view that if health workers receive the right training, they will deliver in an admirable way. He said they will not just improve on the building, but will also improve on equipment and health workers’ welfare in the country.
The Male Ward 6 and Ward 10 were handed over by the contractors who did the renovation of the wards.
In his welcome address, the Hospital Manager, Dr. Mohamed Mustapha S. Kabba who chaired the event said the newly commissioned wards and ramp will create an enabling environment for patients in the hospital. He said one of the newly established wards will be designated as a stroke unit to ensure that stroke patients are properly taken care of.
‘’It is in line with our strategic plan as an administrator to ensure that patients are in a friendly environment and as we move to phase 2 of this plan which is the expansion of services and specialized unit, the establishment of a stroke unit will definitely enhance the provision of specialized care in Connaught hospital”, he said.
Dr. Kabba added that his team of hospital care managers which comprised doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists ensure they create friendly toilet facilities for physically challenged patients in the stroke unit. He said it is a holistic package that has been given to the people of Sierra Leone.
He said the renovated ward 6 was adopted by a group of nurses and other health care practitioners in the diaspora called TOSHPA. He thanked TOSHPA for modernizing the ward thereby creating a friendly atmosphere for patients at Connaught.
Dr. Kabba noted that they have already received funding for the renovation of the outpatients' department, work that he said will commence mid-February. He added that they have established 24 hours laboratory services at the hospital to conduct tests for which they used to send their patients out of the country.
In her statement, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Matron Mary Fullah said if they are to improve on the working environment, they should collaborate with those that are improving their environment. She said they have been working with TOSHPA during the Ebola outbreak in the country.
She said TOSHPA is giving back what they have learned from Connaught hospital. She said the health facility is the backbone of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, pointing out that if things are going well there, the other hospitals will rejoice at those successes.
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