The Ministry of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with Smile Train has held an engagement with health workers at the Koidu Government Hospital, Koidu city in the Kono district, to raise awareness on how to heal children with Cleft conditions.
A Cleft occurs when certain body parts and structures do not fuse together during fetal development. It can involve the lip and/or the roof of the mouth made up of both nard and soft plates.
The District Medical Officer for Kono district, Dr. Gerald Young said children with untreated Clefts face physical difficulties, especially in eating, hearing and speaking.
He said the awareness campaign on how this condition will be treated through reconstructive surgery will alleviate many of the difficulties they face and change their lives and communities forever.
He admonished health personnel to be vigilant and report any suspected case to the nearest referral hospital.
“Beyond surgery, our local partners also provide speech therapy, psychological support, nutritional services, orthodontics and other essential forms of care to ensure that children with Clefts have everything they need to not just live, but thrive.” Dr. Young stated.
Sierra Leone’s well acclaimed statesman, Former President Ernest Bai Koroma, has once again been recognised for his outstanding leadership in peace building, democratic consolidation and for his fair treatment of others.
According to the US – based organisation, ‘I Change Nations’, which presented the award, ‘Former President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, is the “Global Civility Icon of the year 2021″ for his peacekeeping work in Africa and upholding the democratic process in Sierra Leone as his presidential term ended. This is true leadership that is impacting the world’, said Dr Clyde Rivers, Founder of the organisation.
I Change Nations’ is known globally for their world-renown Golden Rule Awards honoring those who make a difference in their communities. Candidates impact their communities with trust and dignity, having improved the quality of life for those they have touched through their humanitarian leadership through the organizations and businesses in which they serve.
It could be recalled that in 2018, President Ernest Bai Koroma, presided over a peaceful political transition in Sierra Leone by graciously handing over political power after conducting local council, parliamentary and presidential elections adjudged to be free, fair and democratic. Since then, the former president has dedicated his retirement to the promotion of peace, democracy and a safe environment.
To this end, the distinguished Sierra Leonean statesman has successfully led elections observation missions to Namibia, Togo and Benin under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Koroma is a founding member of the West African Elders Council whose objective is to prevent conflict through mediation and through the promotion of peace and democracy within the ECOWAS region. He is also a founding member of the Global Steering Committee “Campaign For Nature”, advocating for the protection of 30% of the planet through better environmental practices.
This latest global recognition of former President Koroma follows several others including by the influential Black Caucus of United States Legislature, the well – noted UK – based African Leadership Magazine and the House of Lords in Great Britain.
As part of his advocacy for peace and sustainable development the former President has endorsed and championed the establishment of an African Peace Engineering Corps.
In an interview with the awarding organisation, the West African statesman, President Koroma, shared his perspective on good governance, peace, building, civility and democratic consolidation.
