Welcoming about 500 participants from 14 ECOWAS countries, the Chairperson of the, Sierra Leone Chapter, Dr. D.R. Lisk outlined the importance of the meeting, adding that the college is very significant as it trains them on how to respond to outbreaks such as Ebola and other life-threatening diseases.
The President of the College, Dr. Ifeoma Egbuone, in her statement commended the country for its brave fight in ending the dreadful Ebola plague. She said the conference is historical as it marks the establishment of the fact that Sierra Leone has truly recovered from the Ebola disease and that for the college, it signifies that the country which was tagged with special needs, now has the will to go on after the Ebola plague.
Deputizing His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh welcomed the participants. He stated that the 42nd Annual General and Scientific Meeting held in Freetown means a lot for the ‘New Direction’ government and the people of this country; particularly in this period when the new government is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the health sector.
Dr. Jalloh went on to state that, the government of President Bio has placed education and health at the top of its priorities and assured his audience that, they will do all it takes to improve the health indices in the country.
In showcasing the government concrete commitment in supporting the health sector of the nation, Vice President Jalloh divulged that in less than a year in governance, they have increased the budgetary allocation for health to 10% and that they have already attained a 21% allocation for education. He added that, government projected allocation for the health sector will be increased to 15% in the coming years.
He stated that, the government of President Bio believes in investing resources in human capital development and healthcare. Investing in these, he said is an assurance of building sustainable growth and skills development in the country.
