By Mohamed LaminBanya

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, through the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), has handed over 100 bags of rice to the Managements of the Princes Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) and Ola During Children’s Hospital in Freetown.

Managing Director NMSA, Dr. Lawrence Sandi said the rice provided is for the utilisation of in-patient in the respective facilities and that it is in continuation of the rice distribution project that was launched by the government through the health ministry.

The rice he went is part of the twenty thousand bags of rice donated to the Government of Sierra Leone by the Government of India.

He said President Julius Maada Bio decided that the rice be given to the health sector to benefit the most vulnerable, sick and the needy, including health workers, especially those in the interiors.

Dr. Lawrence A. Sandi is the Managing Director of NMSA. He said they will ensure the rice reaches all its targeted beneficiaries across the country.

“We will work with the directorate at the ministry and all concern to ensure we distribute the amounts of rice to go to each of the hospitals across the country.”

Dr. Sandi similar distributions of the rice will be replicated to other major hospitals across the country in the coming days and weeks.

“Aside from the country’s health sector and it facilities that are to benefit, education ministry for the school feeding project is also another sector benefitted from the donation,” he said. Adding that Ola During will receive 300 bags of rice while PCMH general will receive 144 bags and it annex 84 bags.

He went on to say the consignment will sustain the two facilities for a year, adding that every facility in country will benefit and that some allocation will be made for staff in Peripheral Health Unit “in hard to reach area”.

He said health is not just about the diagnosis or drug treatment but nutrition aspect but that with the provision of this rice, it is believed that it will boost the nutritional status of patients that will be benefitting.

Medical Superintendent PCMH, Dr. Rowland Williamson-Taylor commended NMSA for the rice and promised that they will used the supply for the intended purpose.

Matron at Ola During Children’s Hospital, FatmataKargbo said since the establishment of the hospital they have been struggling in accessing rice to feed the patients.

“With our bed capacity, we really do need the rice to feed not only our patients but also their caregivers and other visitors,” she said.