The International Rescue Committee (IRC), with funds from the European Union (EU) and the Irish Aids, has donated two ambulances and equipment to the Kenema District Health Management Team (DHMT).
The ceremony took place at the Nurses lecture room at the government hospital in Kenema with dignitaries in attendance.
The Medical Superintendent of the government hospital in Kenema, who is the focal person in the area of maternal mortality, expressed happiness at the donations which he said would promote the health care delivery system in the country.
The deputy chief administrator of the Kenema City Council (KCC) C.P.J.Kallon said primary health care had been devolved to the local councils and called on medical specialists to help reduce maternal mortality in the district.
The District Medical Officer, Dr. Yankuba Bah described the day as “historic”. He thanked IRC for their “timely intervention” in ensuring a proper health care for women and children in the district.
He promised on behalf of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) that the two ambulances and the equipment will be used for their intended purpose.
While handing over the keys of the two ambulances, the field coordinator of IRC Sam Mannah said there were many challenges in the health care delivery services which needed to be addressed promptly. He said that with the two ambulances, the problem of referring cases of pregnant women in the district would be reduced and the infant mortality rated wiped out.
Mr Mannah said the death of any pregnant woman was a great concern to IRC, noting that the lack of adequate materials and mobility were some of the problems faced by the DHMT.
The Mayor of the Kenema City Council, Chief Evans Brima Gbemeh however thanked IRC for the gesture and praised the District Medical Officer Yankuba Bah for “his good work”.
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