Deputy Health Minister visits Kailahun District Health Management Team.

Kailahun, May 16, 07 (MOHS) -The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay has called on the Kailahun District Health Management Team to institute an emergency preparedness strategy towards the fight against cholera outbreak in the district.

From Left: The District Medical Officer Kailahun and Standing , Is The Deputy Ministers Hon. Ibrahim Sesay Addressing The District Health Management Team Hospital Staff and Partners.

Addressing staff of the Kailahun Government hospital, NGO Representatives, partners in the Health and officials of the District Council at a meeting held at the Primary Health Care Conference Hall, Mr. Sesay noted the good works of the District Health Management Team in promoting health care delivery services in the district and encouraged them to step up preventive measures to avert any cholera outbreak in the district.

Kailahun Youth Working Under The Youth Employment Scheme Listening To The Deputy Minister's Address.

The Deputy Minister noted that the rains are at the pick of the cholera risk, adding that personal hygiene and health education awareness raising campaign would go a long way in addressing the situation to avoid mortality due to cholera or other related diseases.

Commenting on the availability of ambulance for the hospital, the minister underscored the importance of such commodity to strengthen referral system thereby minimizing the rate of maternal deaths due to complication and delays.

Kailahun Government Hospital Front Entrance.

Government, he said is committed to providing affordable and accessible quality health care delivery services to its citizen, pointing out that the issue of an ambulance for the hospital would be given serious attention in partnership with the health sector support project ( HSSP).

Dilating on the issue of an improved conditions of   service,  Government, the minister said is committed to improve the conditions of service for its entire workforce, but currently constrained with limited resources as a result of the devastation caused by the war. Not withstanding this, the Deputy minister said plans are currently under way to fast track a cabinet approval for the improvement of conditions of the health workers  with a view to addressing the brain drain in the medical profession.

Absorption of workers into the civil service, the Deputy Minister told his audience is progressing, adding that the training of maternal Child Aides has been decentralized, and effective this year all MCH Aide Training would be in their respective districts.

On the Youth Employment Scheme , The Deputy Minister  reiterated the SLPP government commitment to adequately provide the necessary environment for youth  employment, pointing out that the Youth Empowerment Scheme has been destined by the government to maintain a responsible youth core through a supportive development program that would stay for posterity.

Making his scientific presentation on the district operations, the District Medical Officer Kailahun , Dr. Santigie Sesay gave an account on category of staff in relation to the Hospital and peripheral health units,  support from partners; UNICEF, the Health Sector Support Project (HSSP),  Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Christian Children’s Fund ( CCF), Global Fund, Save the Children UK, Oxfam, Africare  and others. He also highlighted support receive from   the government, institutional strength and present constrains.

In his recommendations, Dr. Santigie Sesay advocated for the urgent posting of trained staff, ambulance and the construction more staff quarters.

Other speakers include the Hospital Care Management, Dr. Foday Sesay who affirmed the smooth running of the hospital with the enough drugs available and medical and surgical procedure ongoing successfully, the NGO representative, Mr. Moses Sellu stressed the need for  capacity building to meet the demand of the community, member of the hospital Board ,Mr. Lamin Ngobeh who described the operations of the hospital as encouraging and team work with partners resourceful. The ceremony was chaired by the District Health Sister (One), Madam Eve Kamanda.

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