By Mabinty M. Kamara
In an effort to improve access to electricity in 31 health facilities located in remote areas of Sierra Leone, the United States Government and partners are set to power up 31 health centres in remote communities of Sierra Leone through the Health Grid project.
Speaking at a press briefing on the project and other US-sponsored programmes in the country on the 31st of August, the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone David Reimer expressed optimism that the installations will be completed this year.
The $ 2 million project according to the Ambassador is a joint venture by the United States Government through USAID, the nonprofit organization RESOLVE, and Orange Sierra Leone, together with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
“Access to stable, reliable electricity is key for health care providers to treat people. Electricity shouldn’t be a privilege just for health care clinics in major cities,” he said.
In order to ensure sustainability, he said the Project will include a sustainability fund of about $100,000 which will enable long-term maintenance and oversight of the facilities in Sierra Leone for which locals will be trained in that regard.
Each system according to Ambassador Reimer will be so efficient that it will also generate extra electricity, and provide power to the communities surrounding the healthcare facilities.
“The project will also install and maintain internet connectivity equipment at each health facility, as well as Water and Sanitation equipment at select sites,” he said.
He noted that in collaboration with the health ministry, they have selected 16 facilities across Sierra Leone for the programmes and will commence identification and procuring of the necessary equipment for another 15 sites.
The US recently trained 35 Sierra Leoneans in Field Epidemiology to lead investigations into outbreaks of diseases like Lassa fever, Monkey Pox, Ebola, COVID, and Polio, among others. These disease detectives according to the Ambassador are in all 16 districts of Sierra Leone.
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