Freetown, June 9, 09. (MOHS) – Sierra Leone has joined other ECOWAS countries in observing the 22nd Anniversary of the Inauguration of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) Day with the launching of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation VSAT and a Symposium at the Miatta Conference hall in Freetown.
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| Health Minister delivering his Symposium address. |
Launching the VSAT, Health and Sanitation Minister, Sheiku Tejan Koroma acknowledges the role of information and communication technology in health service delivery, noting that it has the potential for the improvement of human resource development.
He reiterated that the VSAT would not only make a significant contribution in promoting information sharing within the health sector, and between our local professionals and their counterparts in more advanced countries, but would further strengthened health care delivery in the districts by providing accessibility to further learning through the internet.
The Minister, on behalf of Government and the people of Sierra Leone expressed gratitude to the Director General of WAHO, Dr. Placido Monterio Cardoso, and his Deputy, the Director of Information and Research, Dr. Kamou for their effort in ensuring the success of the project.
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| Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo delivering his speech at the Symposium |
Making his statement, Information and Communication Minister, Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo described the Health Ministry as a very vital arm of government that has taken the challenge to complementing his Ministry’s effort in using information and communication technology to change the economic and social infrastructure of our country by creating opportunities for people to access services and knowledge.
He said the significant stride in information and communication technology by the Health Ministry is a clear indication that Sierra Leone like other developing countries is now on the route to achieving the Millennium Development Goals of achieving 85 per cent connectivity by the year 2012.
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| The Audience |
Addressing the Symposium, Mr. Kargbo told his audience that information sharing must be seen as an important component in the fight against epidemics and diseases, adding that the information should not be an internal effort but should be seen as a sub regional concern.
He said programmes carried must be seen to be able to sensitize members of the public about their well being, and medical practitioners, about development within the health sector.
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| Ms. Amelia Gabba, West African College of Nursing Chairman. |
Mr. Kargbo congratulated the Health Ministry and WAHO on the occasion, describing the move by the Health Ministry as a global call in line with President Koroma’s policy of attitudinal change.
Guest of Honor, Director General of WAHO, Dr. Placido Monteiro Cardoso while speaking on the theme: “Epidemic Control: A challenge for ECOWAS Countries”, said the 22nd Anniversary has been dedicated to the decision of the First Ladies of the West African region, describing the event as a platform for WAHO to draw the attention of the Member States and the International Community to the major health challenges in our region for greater mobilization of resources.
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| From right- WAHO Director General Placido Monteiro Cardoso, Hon. Sheiku Tejan Koroma, Hon. I.B. Kargbo, Director, Information and Research, Mr. Kambou. |
This year’s theme, he said was chosen by mutual agreement with member countries, reminding his audience that the period 2008 experienced outbreaks of epidemic in the ECOWAS region throughout that year. The diseases he said include Meningitis, Yellow fever, Lassa fever, Cholera and some targeted disease of the Expanded Immunization Programme such as measles. The Director General said the outbreak caused several deaths, human suffering and expensive health interventions which grossly affects the economy and social structures of the ECOWAS countries.
He commended partners for their supports in the implementation of the Interacted Disease Surveillance and Response, and appealed to Member Countries to intensify action against the Influenza pandemic as it now poses a threat in the region, with two confirmed cases.
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| Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Dr. Edward Magbity, Chairing the VSAT Launching ceremony. |
Addressing the Symposium Health and Sanitation Minister, Sheiku Tejan Koroma, expressed appreciation to staff of his Ministry, noting the sacrifices made to ensure quality health care in the country, irrespective of the poor conditions of service.
Mr. Koroma intimated doctors, nurses and other health workers of plans to improve their conditions of service and implore them to continue the good work.
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| Director Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Amara Jambai. |
The Director of Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Amara Jambai, dilated on the Disease burden epidemic outbreaks within Sierra Leone, the Objective of his Directorate, Recent outbreaks in the country, and the Directorate Achievements, among other key activities.
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| Dr. Daniel Fusum of WHO. |
Other Speakers include the Acting WHO Representative, Dr. Daniel Fusum, a Representative from Constituent WAHO Support Colleges, Mrs. Amelia Eva Gabba, Chairman West African College of Nursing, and the Chairman for the occasion, Director of Support Services, Ministry of Health, Mr. Sheiku Kamara.
JAK/IMK/MOHS/SLENA.
