Trucks loaded with Free Health Care drugs In continuous support to health facilities in a transparent and accountability drive, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha TejanWurie with support from DFID handed over 10 trucks of assorted free health care drugs to Port Loko Hospital on Thursday September 13, 2018 at the District Health Management Team (DHMT) compound in Port Loko District. The 10 trucks include three trucks for the Port Loko Government Hospital, two trucks for the Lungi Government Hospital and five trucks for the DHMT for onwards distribution to the Health Centres and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs). Handing over the drugs, Dr. Alpha Tejan Wurie said the people of UK through DFID have been supporting the country many years with free health care drugs. He informed his audience that their presence in Port Loko was to talk to the people as the very first district for the distribution of the free health care drugs, and to be convinced that the people of Port Loko this time round will guide, protect and ensure that these drugs will be used for the intended purpose for the intended purpose. Dr. Wurie extended greetings from President Julius Maada Bio to the people of Port Loko, saying that elections are over and they should now concentrate on development strides in the country, noting that if the country is to develop, women and children must be healthier. He reiterated that as a government they have focused on free and quality education in which a child will receive free books, pencils and pay fees, but that if the child is sick, it is the responsibility of the Health Ministry to ensure that the child is treated and healthy to continue schooling. He added that as a Ministry they are moving district by district for people to know that health is going alongside with education as health is wealth. He reminded them the free health care initiative which started in 2010 was a good intention, and stated that what they are doing as a Ministry is to improve on the initiative to ensure that drugs bought by DFID do not disappear, and that if anyone falls sick, drugs for treatment will be available. He added that the lives of the children of the country are vital, important and treasured, and therefore the Health Ministry would not like to see children sick and there is no ambulance to take them to the health facility. He added that in order to complement the free health care initiative, the MoHS by the end of October this year will commence the National Ambulance Service across the country to take pregnant women, lactating mothers, under-five children and disadvantaged people to the nearest health facility for treatment. He stated that a School of Nursing will be constructed in Port Loko to train MCH aides, SECHN and Midwives, adding that discussions have already started and modalities being put in place for the school.