MCOE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE ENDS TWO DAYS STAKEHODERS ENGAGEMENT IN KONO

By Fohad Mbaimba Kallay

 In a significant move to boost the health sector and improve on maternity in Kono District, the Maternal Center of Excellence National Steering Committee concluded two two-day intensive steering committee engagement with stakeholders in Kono District. The Steering Committee of Maternal Center of Excellence of both the National and District stakeholders’ engagement was hosted at the Diamond Lodge Hotel in Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District, Eastern Region of Sierra Leone. It brought together key stakeholders including the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Services, Senior Permanent Secretary, Directors of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, DMO, MS of both the National and District executive officers of PIH, Health personnel, Council of Paramount Chiefs, MPs, Section Chiefs, religious leaders, local authorities, Councillors, and the media among others.

Andrew L. Sorie, Senior Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health revealed that the rationale of the stakeholders engagement was to have first-hand information to deliberate on the achievements and challenges of the Maternal Centre of Excellence (MCOE) project and provide conceivable recommendations and as well properly plan the official opening of the facilities. He disclosed that MCOE project is very important because it gears to improve the infant and mortality rate in the district.  He revealed that Partner in Health (PIH) operations over the years have positively created impact in the health sector not only in the district but across the country. “MCOE would not only provide health services delivery for the Kono People and the nation as a whole but also would provide medical facilities to the neighboring countries” Andrew L. Sorie unveiled. He reaffirmed government full support through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to the MCOE project. He acknowledged the district stakeholders of Kono for their   relentless efforts ensuring the success of the MCOE project that gears to boost the health sector in the district. He urged PIH leadership to continue their effective and efficient health delivery services to the people across the country.  He maintained that that the primary responsibility of the MCOE Steering Committees serve to well-informed the public on the successes, challenges and provide suitable recommendations to the ongoing MCOE construction project. 

 Doctor Mustapha Kabba the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Services of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation underscored the pivotal roles PIH has frolicked improving the health status in the district. He emphasized that MCEO after it completion will help save lives of children and mothers and help reducing maternity rate which is the key priority of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, under the astute of the minister. He pointed out that the official commissioning of MCOE will be in early October 2025.  “The MCOE will transform the lives of the people in Kono District and Koidu Government Hospital would be upgraded to a tertiary hospital “Doctor Kabba divulged. He further pointed out that the ministry is not going to look at the infrastructure but the need for specialized health workers in the various disciplines and standards equipment to carry out the effective and efficient service delivery in the district and the country. 

Chairman Council of Paramount Chiefs, PC Sahr Edward Mbawa of Gbane Kandor Chiefdom in Kono District, his statement described health as wealth, added that, as custodians of the land they are well pleased with the marvellous work of PIH in the district. He stressed that the pivotal role of PIH operations in the district and country cannot be over emphasized.

He applauded the leadership of Partner in Health (PIH) for their tremendous efforts boosting the health sector in the district and the country as whole. He assured the council’s fullest support for the success of the MCOE project in district. Vicky Reed is the Executive Director Partner in Health (PIH), thanked the ministry of health and entire steering committee members their maximum. She outlined some of their successes and challenges they are faced with in the ongoing MCOE construction project. Vicky Reed assured Partner in Health (PIH) continuing support the health sector in the country.  

Iasta Dumbuya is the Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNH), outlined the current challenges the project is faced with include the local materials. She said that the showdown of Koidu Limited Mining Company has also affected the operation of MCOE project. She said they use to have bricks and granite from the company which the paid for. She pointed out that they are expecting to have 300 hundred health workers in Kono district come October 2025, and accommodation is their biggest challenge current. She anticipated to the district stakeholders to aid them in order address the prevailing accommodation challenge for their health workers.

 For the security, she pointed out that currently they are facing serious security threat having 15 security guards, 4 of them having government pin code and 11 of them are volunteers. She pointed out that come October 2025 the facilities would be expanded, and they needed 46 security personnel to mandate hospital facilities. She made it known that they shall be instilling CCTV camera in the hospital.

Some of the stakeholders asked anticipated to the support of the military personnel for strengthen the security in the hospital. However, the steering committee comprises MPs, Council of Paramount Chiefs, Councillors, DMO, MS, Religious Leaders, women, youths, and local authorities, Doctors, Nurses, Representative of MOH and PIH, the Media among others. Members of the steering committee and the National District made meaningful contributions gearing to the success of the PIH MCOE project in Kono District and vowed their total supports.