Freetown, Feb. 2, 2015 (MOHS) – In a bid to strengthening the health care delivering system countrywide, Deputy Health and Sanitation Minister 1, Mr. Foday Sawi has ended an assessment tour of health facilities in the Kenema, Kailahun and Kono districts towards building a resilient health system in the districts ahead of the Post Ebola era.
Addressing Senior Staff of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) at the Kenema Government Hospital Administrative Building conference hall, Mr. Foday Sawi on behalf of the Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah commended the staff for the good work, and the relentless efforts in the fight against the Ebola disease. “The Ebola war is not yet over and we have to collectively fight to make Sierra Leone Ebola free”, Mr. Sawi told his audience.
He reiterated the need to be more vigilant noting that the country is now in a critical state than ever and expressed concern on the prevailing situation as well as the welfare of front line health workers.
His mission, he added also aimed at identifying the challenges faced in tackling the Ebola pandemic, and the required support to bring the scourge to an immediate end. “It is also aimed at providing a platform for concrete suggestions towards the rebranding and strengthening of the Ministry’s Post Ebola health system.
The District Medical Officer, Kenema, Dr. Mohamed Vandi expressed the need for the construction and rehabilitation of health facilities and motivation of service uptake at peripheral Health Unit (PHU) level, stressing the need for effective coordination and capacity building of staff, establishment of post Ebola clinics and maintenance of cold chain system.
Briefing the Deputy Health Minister at the District Health Management Team office, Kailahun, the District Health Sister 1, Angela Rogers disclosed the loss of many staff as a result of the pandemic and advocated for the recruitment of additional trained health workers.
The Deputy Minister at the Kailahun District Ebola Task Force Meeting congratulated the team for achieving more than 42 days Ebola zero case, and re-emphasized the need for them to continue placing premium on the intervention of their success story, noting that the emergence of a single case is a big threat to the nation.
The Ebola war, he maintained, is now a serious concern for more robust action to make Sierra Leone Ebola free.
At the Koidu Government Hospital, Kono, the Deputy Health Minister expressed appreciation to the front line health workers for their efforts in the fight to contain the Ebola virus disease in the country.
He informed his audience that part of his mission was to get first-hand knowledge about the health facilities management and administration nationwide, for the attention of the Ministry’s leadership with a view to provide a conducive working environment for staff in all health facilities across the country.
The District Surveillance Officer 1, Sahr Amara Moriba dilated on the surveillance situation in Kono, covering a population of 5,000 people.
He said there is need for a comprehensive event based surveillance and alert reporting to enhance effective case investigation.
The Deputy Minister in another related development paid courtesy calls on the Coordinator, Kono District Ebola Response Centre, P. C. Paul Saquee V, who briefed him about the Ebola situation in the district, a visit to the Kono District Ebola Command Centre, and an assessment inspection tour of the Pendembu and Daru Community Health Centres in the Kailahun district.
KK/MOHS