By Amin Kef-Ranger
One of the corporate entities that have so far responded to provide solace to the victims of the Wellington PMB fire disaster, is Africell-SL. Led by the company’s Media Manager, John Konte, a team of Africell members of staff, was at the Connaught Hospital to donate items to the victims of the unfortunate situation.
It was the second time the team visited the Connaught Hospital in just the same day, 6th November 2021, the first to conduct an assessment of the quantum of assistance that the company should provide for the victims of the disaster who are currently admitted at the Connaught Hospital, 34 Military Hospital, Rokupa Government Hospital and Choithram Memorial Hospital.
The second visit was to donate medical items and put in place an arrangement for food to be prepared and served to both victims and nurses.
Before donating the items to the Management of the Connaught Hospital, the Media Manager, John Konteh, extended, on behalf of Africell-SL, his deepest condolence and sympathy to the victims, the bereaved families of those who lost their loved ones, and others who were affected by the inferno, which is said to have claimed over 97 lives.
He stated that indeed it was an unfortunate situation and a sad one for the country maintaining that as a company that does care for all they will do all their best to continue rendering possible assistance to the affected persons.
“Africell has a human face and when such things happen, the company is always at hand,” adding that it is as a result of that why they were at Connaught Hospital to assess the magnitude of their intervention
“Besides the medical items, we also thought it fit to supply food items to the canteen stating that at this critical moment some of the victims may not be able to eat as they used to do which is why we want them to be given nutritious food,” he intimated adding that the nurses will also be served food.
He said the company will replicate similar donations to other health facilities, among which we have the 34 Military Hospital, the Rokupa Government Hospital, Choithram Hospital, having some of the victims as patients.
John Konteh did a symbolic presentation of medical items to the Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Kenneh who received the items on behalf of the hospital. The items he donated were: Items donated were:100 SSD cream, 200 Ceftriaxone injection, 200 Metronidazole IV, 50X100 exam gloves, 400 paracetamol IV, 100 Omeprazole injection, 250 IV cannula, 200 Giving Set, 40×100 Syringe and needle, 25 cartons wool, 50 roll plaster, 150 urine bag, 300 N/S IL, 300 N/S 0.5l and 50 gauze – 100y.
Receiving the items, Dr. Kenneh extended thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to the Management and Staff of Africell for what he described as their prompt response. He said one of the things that he is impressed about is the nationalism that Sierra Leoneans have demonstrated so far during and after the fire disaster.
The manager of the Connaught Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Kabba also thanked Africell for the support stating that in times like this we all need to pull our resources together to come to the rescue of those who are affected.
The Director of the Connaught Hospital, Dr. Mathew Vandy, stated that since when the incident occurred they have been receiving corpses some of who could be recognized and others beyond recognition. He said they decided to separate the patients based on the degree of burn that they sustained and commended members of staff for their dedication and relentless efforts in taking care of the corpses.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Government was the Deputy Minister of Justice, Napoleon Koroma, who said that the Government is really saddened by the unfortunate accident. He extended thanks and appreciation to Africell for the kind gesture shown to the victims.
