By Prince J Musa in Kenema
In order to boost the health sector in the two regions, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning have demanded 500 acres of land from stakeholders in the South and Eastern Regions for the construction of State of Art Hospital along the Bo-Kenema Highway.
Officials from the two ministries held a meeting with the people of Jembeh town Baoma Chiefdom in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone about the hospital’s construction on the 10th August 2023.
In his statement, the Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie informed the local authorities that the rationale behind their visit was to lobby for land to the government of Sierra Leone for the construction of ultra-modern health facility that will serve both regions and by extension the country in general.
He said they chose Jembeh town for the hospital due to its importance and strategic location and that upon its construction, the town will gain greater importance in the country.
Dr. Senesie noted that the re-election of President Julius Maada Bio was no mistake by the people of Sierra Leone and that his efforts will help the country to compete with other African countries in the health sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby said the government of Sierra Leone and its development partners decided to build such a hospital so as to surmount some of the health challenges in the country. “We have already identified the land just outside of Jembeh, on the Bo-Kenema border,’’ he said.
He pointed out that the government’s vision is to have a hospital with multiple specialties, a medical school, a midwifery school, and many other facilities in fulfillment of President Bio’s campaign promise to the nation. He stated that the hospital will have about 300 beds, a diagnostic facility, and other essential health instruments that will match global standards.
Dr. Demby said the facility will host 1,400 (one thousand, four hundred) staff with the possibility of treating 1,500 (one thousand, five hundred) patients at a given time. He told the audience that construction will start immediately after concluding arrangements on documentation and architectural work.
Paramount Chief, Alfred Hindowa Demby of Baoma Chiefdom expressed gratitude for the consideration given to his chiefdom for the hospital.
He said the re-appointment of Dr. Demby was no mistake as “he is a hard-working citizen that has proven beyond all reasonable doubt in serving his nation”. He spoke about the reduced maternal mortality rate in the country which he said is in line with the president’s vision.
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