The Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), Dr Austin Demby officially handed over (14) fourteen trucks load of Free Healthcare drugs and medical supplies to the District Health Management Team (DHMT) in Kenema district on Friday 22nd October 2021.
The Minister was accompanied by Senior Officials of the Ministry, staffs of NMSA, Representative of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, and other stakeholders from Freetown. The team was received by the District Medical officer (DMO), Dr. Donald Grant who also chaired the handing over ceremony.
The Managing Director of NMSA Dr. Lawrence A. Sandi in his brief remarks thanked the beneficiaries of the free health care, stakeholders and the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby for taking off time from their busy schedules to attend the handing over ceremony. He informed the meeting that the National Medical Supplies Agency is the agency responsible for the procurement, storage and distribution of drugs and medical supplies on behalf of all government institutions in Sierra Leone. He noted that the fourteen trucks contained drugs and medical supplies for the Free Healthcare Initiative, IPC and PPE materials for healthcare workers. He went on to further inform the audience that since 2018, the quantity of drugs for the Free health care scheme has increased exponentially because of government’s co-financing commitment in the procurement of drugs. He admonished the beneficiaries to access the health care facilities and use the medical supplies effectively. He appealed also to the healthcare workers to be diligent and ensure that the drugs and medical supplies be used for the targeted beneficiaries.
Other items and facilities he highlighted the district will soon benefit from are a high flow oxygen plant, a 100kva generator, mama and baby kits, and a restart of the cost recovery program.
The Resident Minister East, Mr. Andrew Fatorma in his brief remarks, recognized the good work of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio by way of fulfilling his promise in providing the Free health care drugs for vulnerable people. He was quick to note that the provision of free health care drugs is not political and admonished the nurses to continue to work hard.
Delivering the keynote address during the handing over of the supplies, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin H. Demby said that the health sector has made significant progress under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, and that the President is focused on achieving four things to build the human capital which are, the Free Quality Education, Health, Food Security and Infrastructure.
He noted that health is a critical engine for development in any country and therefore appreciated the health workers in the district for their good work.
He concluded by saying that a new midwifery school will soon be opened in the district to train health care workers in midwifery.
The ceremony was graced by various stakeholders to include the Minister of Health & Sanitation, officials of the Ministry of Health & Sanitation, member of the parliamentary committee on health, the Resident Minister East, Deputy Mayor of the Kenema City Council, the Chairman Kenema District Council, Traditional leaders, NMSA officials, the DMO and Senior staff of the DHMT, ACC, Media, Security sector and the various categories of beneficiaries.
Handing over of the (14) fourteen trucks load of free healthcare drugs and medical supplies to the Kenema district stakeholders climaxed the occasion.
The Matron gave the vote of thanks and closing courtesies
In another engagement, the team also on Sunday 24th October, 2021 during His Excellency’s visit to the people of Panguma, handed over three (3) trucks load of free health care drugs and other medical supplies and a brand-new ambulance to transport the sick or injured from the emergency scene to the hospital and to meet the demands of different medical situations.
The President Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio handed over the keys of the brand-new ambulance to the Resident Minister East
