Healey International Relief Foundation that works in Sierra Leone through Caritas Freetown has announced that its receipt of a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grant through the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) programme, to support its work in Sierra Leone.
This was announced at a Press Conference held on the 18th November 2022 at the Caritas Freetown Office at Kingtom in Freetown.
The project will focus on reaching Youths at Risk in Sierra Leone and demonstrating to them how the values of teamwork, science and innovation can help solve economic and healthcare challenges.
Healey In- Country Manager, Ishmeal Alfred Charles said USAID through the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) has provided 242,320 United States Dollar grant for the project.
He said the project is divided into two areas, the first to focus on young people between the ages 10 -19 , who will be taught American values such as individualism and equality, and instill in them ideas that will transform the society.
He added that the second part of the project will see the provision of Universal Anesthesia Machine (UAM) that can be used in hospitals where people struggle mostly to access anesthetic and oxygen support.
He further said the UAMs will be in Sierra Leone in January 2023 and deployed at Christ the King hospital in Waterloo, Saint John of God hospital, Lunsar, Holy Spirit hospital, Makeni, and Serabu hospital in Bo. “
He also said that they intend to have 2 UAMs at each hospital, though he admitted assessment is still taking place on the number each health facility would need.
He said that the project is going to last for two years but it is expected to create a long-lasting impact on youth and society through a greater understanding of each country’s shared values.
The Executive Director of Healey, Ben Parra said the ASHA grant is a significant step forward in their work in Sierra Leone. He said the machines provide a needed resource to the health facilities they support, and that the project in its entirety will enhance Caritas’s intervention in critical areas.
Executive Director of Caritas Freetown and Board Chairman of Healey in Sierra Leone, Reverend Father Peter Konteh said the grant they have received came at the right time as there was an acute need for the equipment which will help produce its own oxygen for life-support needs in hospitals.
He said the Foundation has been helping not only Caritas clinics, but others, including faith-based hospitals across the country.
He spoke of how they complement the government when needed and that through their partnership they renovated the Connaught hospital and also supported the 34 Military hospital with medical supplies.
The Healey International Relief Foundation is a charity institution based in the United States of America that has been working in Sierra Leone since 2001, raising funds to support the country through Caritas, with focus on healthcare, education, child protection and disaster relief.
Copyright © Politico Online (23/11/22)
