With less than 120 doctors in the country, Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Dr Soccoh Kabia has secured the services of 110 foreign doctors to help improve the country’s health sector.
Already, the Ministry is working in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to make arrangement for the doctor’s arrival.
30 of the doctors will be coming from Nigeria and 50 from Cuba, and the South African government will be responsible for the logistical support for the doctors from Cuba. Also, the Minister of Health has written to the Egyptian Government for another 30 doctors. The arrangement is under the South/South Health Delivery
At present, the government has 6 Surgeon Specialists, 3 Pediatrician Specialists, and 8 Gynecologists. Speaking to community people recently in Moyamba, Soccoh Kabia spoke of his plans to improve the country’s health sector.
Dr Kabia also spoke on newly launched Reproductive and Child Health Strategic Plan, which seeks to address the high infant mortality rate in the country.
Also, the minister has sought the sum of one million dollars from donors to address personnel problem in the country. Speaking further, Dr Kabia said, he has not forgotten about the people in Moyamba and there are pilot projects currently underway, supported by the World Bank, from which Moyamba and Kailahun shall benefit.
Speaking on the current reconstruction of the Moyamba Government Hospital, Soccoh Kabia said, the construction will soon commence and that there was a delay because, the first contractor, Skyy Construction Company did not prove to be a good working partner, and that, a new construction company will soon start the process again, promising that it will be completed soon.
According to Dr Kabia, he won’t be happy if the country’s health sector is not improved upon, and that Moyamba particularly should always get the attention of the ministry. On recent transfers that have been done by the ministry, Dr Kabia said, transfers are done in an effort to make the system functional and that some doctors have been in one station for years without being transferred.
Earlier, the Regent Chief of Moyamba Lans Lamin, told the Minister and delegation that, Moyamba is the foundation of peace and development in Sierra Leone and also paid tribute to the Minister for his continuous visit not only to Moyamba but other districts as well. He admonished the minister to concentrate on his work, for the development of the country
Also, on the issues and problems affecting the hospital in Moyamba, Mammy Vanjah reminded the minister and delegation that, the rehabilitation of the hospital has taken awhile, and also spoke on other problems.
However, Musa Ola Kamara, a youth leader said, most of the problems facing the Moyamba district are as a result of the people’s attitude.
By John Baimba Sesay
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