By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Sod for the construction of an ultra-Modern Physiotherapy Centre in Kenema to serve the city and its environs was turned on the 27th February 2022.
The centre named Daisy and Jabbie Physiotherapy is a private investment aimed at addressing the lack of such facility in the area. The land for the construction of the facility according to the report was provided by the Mayor of Kenema and the Paramount Chief of Nongowa Chiefdom. When completed the place where physiotherapy exercises are being held by the city field will move over to the new structure.
In his statement, the chairman of the occasion Alphajor Bah, said, the initiative is a big boost to the health sector, noting that the centre already started impacting lives in the Eastern region from its current location.
Paramount chief Sidique Mohamed Kapuwa said that as a beneficiary of the centre he wished for an improvement on the standard of the facility with enough space that will accommodate more people since they have started getting patients from other parts of the country and from neighbouring Liberia.
PC Kapuwa added that Kenema has now become the first provincial city to own a physiotherapy centre, something that he said has added value to the city’s status. He said the physiotherapy centre is important to everyone especially those above age forty that are prone to illnesses such as stroke, and diabetes among others.
‘’This is one sector that we as aged people should not distance ourselves from. Therapy service helps greatly,’’ he said.
He assured the management of the therapeutic facility of their continued support as stakeholders for the effective running of it for the benefit of the district and the country as a whole, especially when other doctors have decided to join the centre when built.
The former Mayor of Kenema, Joseph Samba Keifala disclosed that initially, the physiotherapy centre started with the spirit of sporting activities which was why he said they are located at the city field but decided to expand their services due to the increasing demands.
He disclosed that three of his relatives would have been disabled for life but with the help of the physiotherapy centre.
In his statement, a mental health specialist from the United Kingdom, Dr. Takie Mansaray, thanked the local authorities for embracing physiotherapy as a good health practice for the people.
He said the stigma on those with mental health contributes for most people to get illness leading to physiotherapy cases, especially like depression, disappointment, economic hardship, sleepless night all of which causes stress, which if not well managed could affect the individual. He added that this is an opportunity for him to contribute to helping people with mental health and assured of his services in managing cases of such nature that comes to the facility.
Dr. Mansaray affirmed his commitment to support the facility with equipment, mental health drugs, technical aid, and five hundred thousand Leones monthly allowance for the running of the centre.
The Public Relations Officer, Daisy and Jabbie therapy centre, Mohamed Vandi Lukuley said it will be providing free treatment to lecturers of the Eastern Technical University, the Sierra Leone police, military, media, Pavi-fort Construction Company workers, and other public officials within one week period.
He said the centre provides treatment for patients with diabetes, stroke, physical fitness, diet control, psychosocial counseling, and disabled people.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (02/03/22)
