By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation (1) in collaboration with the chief medical officer has on the 13th August 2021 formally the turn sod for the construction of an ultra-modern building for the District Health Management Team (DHMT) in Kenema.
The structure will be erected at the Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Anthony Sandi said the construction of a modern complex for the DHMT was a laudable venture in improving the health care system.
He added that, Kenema team has been challenged with office space for quite a long time and has caused improper coordination among the health staff within the peripheral health units in the district. He noted that the construction of the facility will ease the work of health workers in terms of coordination, supervision and proper reporting for an effective and efficient service delivery.
In his statement, the chairman Kenema district council, Mohamed O’ level Sesay said it has been a great concern to them as council because the health sector in the district will not be efficient without proper accommodation for staff. He went on to note that the good working relationship between the leadership of the council and the district medical officer has built a solid foundation to push the development of Kenema district.
He praised the District Medical Officer Dr. Donald Grant for his contribution to the development of the district and assured of a strong partnership between the two entities in the interest of the people of the district.
In his statement, Dr. Grant said health workers in the district have been seriously constrained with accommodation to do their work well.
He said the DHMT is getting tremendous support from the district council in all their activities in the health sector, adding that the construction of the office for the district health management will enhance the collective supervision of staff in the peripheral units. He said the new structure will comprise several office space, and other facilities that will match with the status of the DHMT.
’’When this complex is completed, all other components under DHMT will be in one place and that will help to move the health sector to another level,’’ he said.
Dr. Grant noted that their relationship with the council and the stakeholders will help to mitigate some of the health challenges and called on all to support the government in reducing maternal and mortality rate in the district.
The Chief Medical Officer, Rev. Dr. Thomas T.T Samba expressed delight for the efforts made toward the project.
“No government development agenda will be possible where the health status of the citizens is not safe. Therefore the health sector should not be trivialized at all,’’ he said.
He also asserted that the management of the health sector can only be done by trained and qualified health practitioners since health management is different from other forms of human resource sectors.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (20/08/21)
