The MIDA Sierra Leone Health project is funded by the Japanese Government. The main objective of the project is to strengthen the Sierra Leonean health care system through the deployment of experienced Diaspora health care workers to Sierra Leone. The project will facilitate the temporary return of Sierra Leonean health professionals from the diaspora for the benefit of local health institutions.

According to MIDA Project Manager, Akao Kunikazu who is attached to IOM Office in Freetown, they will soon start a pilot phase of the project in Koinadugu District. He informed that next week IOM together with ODA and MOH Officials will embark on a Needs Assessment exercise at Koinadugu District in order to identify specific health human resource and service delivery needs. This he added will serve as a baseline indicator and planning guide for the project.

ODA’s Deputy Director, Mr Sorie Tholley pledged his institution’s commitment to collaborate with IOM and MOH in order to implement and ensure the success of the project in the country.

Other ODA’s Officials including the Information Technology, Communication and Database (ITCD) Manager, Dr. Adbulai Dumbuya and others who were present in the meeting made salient contributions and recommendations with regards the effective implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, IOM and ODA have a good working relationship; and they are working in tandem to implement two project including MIDA and CD4D. The main purpose of the two projects is to harness the development potential of the Sierra Leonean Diaspora Community for the benefit of their native country (Sierra Leone) and also to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction.