The Chinese Technical Team in Sierra Leone has on Friday 17th April turned the sod for the construction of the first teaching hospital for the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) since its inception in 1988. The historic ceremony which took place at the COMAHS campus attracted officials of government, the University authorities, students, the media and inhabitants of Kossoh Town
In his opening address, the Dean of Clinical Sciences and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for COMAHS, Dr.Baimba Bayoh expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese government for its timely intervention in undertaking the construction of a long anticipated teaching hospital. He also stated that the proposed teaching hospital will accommodate over 100 patients at a time after its completion.
The chairman of the ceremony Professor Ahmed M. Taqi, the deputy principal of the college said he considered the ceremony as a historic undertaking that will not only benefit this generation and also future generations. He pointed out that throughout the 21 years of the existence of COMAHS it has been using facilities that does not belong to it for teaching practices.Prof. Taqi also expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for providing funds for the project adding that upon completion the facility will help to build the college’s research capacity.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Prof.Aiah A.Gbakima considered the ceremony as a mile stone in the history of the University in general and COMAHS as an institution in particular. He extended enormous gratitude to the Chinese government for such a laudable venture.Prof. Gbakima also thanked the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health and Sanitation for their collaborative efforts in accomplishing the effort of the university in securing a teaching hospital for medical students. He further stated that the hospital will not only serve the college but the entire community of Kossoh town and its environs. He made a humble appealed to the Kossoh town community to give their fullest cooperation to the project and also warned them to desist from encroaching into the college’s land.
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sheku Tejan Koroma on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone thanked the Chinese government for its support to Sierra Leone. The minister also said Sierra Leone has benefited a lot from the Peoples Republic of China through numerous projects and investments in the country particularly in the field of infrastructural development. He expressed hope in the continuation of such a cordial bilateral relationship between China and Sierra Leone.
The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Deputy Minister of Commerce for China, Mr. Chong Quan in his address he expressed his county’s commitment in strengthening a very good Africa China relationship. He said that China and Sierra Leone have over the past 38 years enjoyed a very good relationship in the areas of politics, trade, education and health. He reiterated his country’s unflinching support towards the development of Sierra Leone. The Chinese Deputy Minister also disclosed that his government has put plans in place to set up a malaria prevention project within the hospital after its completion.
The ceremony was climaxed with the turning of the sod by dignitaries.
By William Freeman