The Government Pathologist and Chief Consultant Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma described the event as a Post Ebola Recovery programme in building a resilient health system.
He said needs assessment tour was conducted few months back on all district mortuaries and laboratories across the country and noticed that majority of the mortuaries were without cold rooms and the laboratories unequipped.
Dr. Owizz Koroma told his audience that the President in his wisdom thought it wise that all mortuaries and laboratories should be standardized to meet those in the West African sub region, as they have learnt from the past Ebola epidemic and to prepare for any future outbreak.
He said with these cold rooms, the district mortuaries would help deliver the expected outcome in preserving corpses for dignified burials.
Speaking on behalf of the Kenema District Health Management Team, the Medical Superintendent, Kenema Government hospital, Dr. Prince Masuba commended the President and the Ministry of Health for their effort in improving their mortuary service.
He described the donation as a good initiative by President Koroma in building a resilient health system, adding that learning from experience during the Ebola outbreak, they knew the challenges faced in handling corpses.
Dr. Masuba assured Dr. Owizz Koroma and team that they would take care and utilize the cold room for its intended purpose.
The Laboratory and Mortuary Specialist, Kenema Government hospital, Mr. James Massally described the donation as a milestone in the development of the mortuary.
He recalled during the Ebola epidemic when it was difficult especially when they had to separate corpses from those new arrivals, noting that with the cold room, the storage facility would be improve in strengthening the mortuary service.
The Medical Superintendent, Bo Government hospital, Dr. Gerald Younge expressed sincere gratitude from the Hospital Management to the President, the Government and the leadership of the Health Ministry for the gesture.
He told the visiting team that the Post Ebola Recovery Plan demands a lot from them because some of the key indicators include patients and health workers safety, essential service and community participation.
Dr. Younge commended the President and the Ministry for the good initiative, adding that the cold room would be used judiciously.
In a similar vein, the Medical Superintendents, Kambia Government Hospital, Dr. Osman Kakay, and the Makeni Government hospital, Dr. Mamod Idriss Kamara on behalf of the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) thanked President Koroma for the gesture, describing it as an invaluable treasure for the country.
