Khalilu Sillah reports
Giving an overview of the project, the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Reverend Father Peter A. Konteh said the Mobile Health and Psychosocial Support Project targets forty vulnerable communities within the Western Area. He stated that the project is a post Ebola recovery action that intends to save the lives of the most vulnerable affected population of the Ebola epidemic.
Reverend Father Konteh explained that Caritas Freetown will directly implement this project in collaboration with community stakeholders; adding that the project will directly benefit 5000 mostly-affected children, 1000 breastfeeding mothers, 400 survivors and 100 community stakeholders.
It will also target vulnerable population, he said, mainly children and mothers in 40 communities within the Western Area Rural and Urban. He said and that the project seeks to decrease the number of infant mortality and maternity rate and in addition, support children between aged 5 to 18 years, plus adults, the aged and disabled population.
Reverend Father Konteh assured his audience that the project will rebuild public confidence towards their perception about health facilities which involves the government, the private sector and community-owned within their various communities. “It is going to provide prevention education against all health related diseases”, he informed.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the District Medical Officer-Western Area, Reverend Dr. Samba said, Sierra Leone needs a vibrant and consistent healthcare delivery system that can cater efficiently, equitably and effectively for the healthcare needs of the population in the post Ebola period.
He said that health is an entity of divine intervention and providence; adding that ensuring the welfare of the lives of individuals and families in any human population is a smart socioeconomic investment that will ultimately contribute towards sustainable economic growth and development when harnessed effectively. “That can only be realistic when people have adequate access to quality healthcare delivery services on an equitable and permanent basis” he told his audience.
Reverend Dr. Samba noted that in order to access quality healthcare delivery services on an equitable and permanent basis, the health sector should join forces with all relevant stakeholders to address the health needs of the population in an effective and holistic manner.
He stated that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation without any reservation is in full support of the project.
He thanked the entire Caritas management team for what he described as a laudable venture, adding that among other players on the local and national platform of healthcare delivery services, Caritas has become a formidable partner in taking health services to deprived communities.
The project titled Prevention and Strengthening of Health and Psychosocial Services for Ebola Affected Population in the Western Area, attracted religious leaders, community stakeholders, health partners and MDAs.
Caritas Freetown, a charitable organization amongst those setting the agenda for the country’s post war recovery plan around the pillars of good governance, security and peace, pro-poor economic growth, food security and jobs creation and human resource development especially in health and educational sectors.
The mobile centre is going to be established in Newton east of the capital city Freetown.
