By Prince J Musa in Kenema
As access to Health facilities remains a major factor for maternal deaths in Kagbando- Jegbla Section in the Nongowa Chiefdom Kenema District, First Lady Fatima Bio has commissioned an Ultra-modern health centre in the community.
Addressing the people of Maleh and Nongowa chiefdom on the 27th of January 2024, the First Lady expressed delight for the health facility, saying anything related to women in this country matters to her most because no nation will progress in development without thinking about the education of the children, health issues, and the safety of women in that country.
She said that this government has several pointers that serve as a good legacy to the people of Sierra Leone and that Kenema city is now one of the enviable cities unlike in 2018 when it was neglected by the previous regime.
She called on the health workers to take good care of the health facility as it will help fight maternal and infant mortality rates in the district and commended the council for fulfilling President Julius Maada Bio’s development agenda. But she warned parents to desist from forcing their girl child into early marriage as most of the maternal death victmss are teenagers.
Paramount Chief Sadique Mator Kapuwa of Nongowa Chiefdom, described the moment as another historic event for his people as the initiator for building the health center was no mistake. He said that Maleh has been one of the isolated communities in Nongowa Chiefdom but he commended the facilitators for removing tears from the eyes of his people and appealed to the Chiefs and stakeholders to take good care of the facility so it can serve them for its intended motives.
Chairman of the Kenema District Council Mohamed Amodu Sesay said construction of the health post at Maleh is timely as it is a deprived section in the Nongowa chiefdom that shares boundaries with Jaluahun chiefdom in Kailahun district. He commended the medical team in Kenema for the support given to the district council in the health sector.
In his statement, the Resident Minister East, Gbessay Chucky Ngobeh commended President Bio for the gesture and recognition of traditional leaders and for supporting the infrastructural projects, and that building a health center for the community is a means of saving more lives for the people, and part of human capital development.
Member of Parliament of Constituency 016, Alice Konya Sandy appreciated the community for embracing the project, especially their support and commitment to making sure the project come to completion. She promised to serve the people as a Member of Parliament especially when entrusted with their confidence to serve them.
She discouraged women from stopping home delivery as it most times leads to maternal death in the district and encouraged the traditional birth attendants to refer all pregnant women to the health facility.
Kenema district Medical Officer, Dr. Donald Samuel Grant, referred to the construction of the maternal child health post in that section as another big relief for the district health management team. He recalled that in 2022, Kenema district recorded 42 maternal deaths, and 29 for 2023, saying their target is to reduce maternal death by less than 50% in 2024.
He stated that Kagbando Jeigbla people work for over five miles to access health facilities and that the construction of the health post has reduced the burden on them. He said the facility will serve over 11 communities including those from Kailahun district with more than 2,000 (two thousand) people benefiting from its services.
‘’We have the conviction that our vision to reduce maternal death can be achieved in 2024 in Kenema district,’’ he said.
In his statement, Ibrahim Brima Swarray told the gathering that the construction of the health center has been one of the felt needs of the people. He commended the people for the support given to President Bio and the Member of Parliament to ensure that the construction of the maternal child health post at Maleh became a reality.
He assured the people of the transformation and development of Sierra Leone and urged them to put aside their differences and trust the leadership and the Government.
Copyright © 2024 (Politico 31/01/24)
