By Ibrahim Sesay
Marampa Mines Limited (MML) has donated a wide range of medical equipment and supplies to support health facilities serving communities in Marampa Chiefdom and Maforki Chiefdom in Port Loko District.
The items were officially presented on Friday, March 6, during a brief ceremony held at the company’s operational site in Lunsar, where representatives of the Ministry of Health received the equipment on behalf of the beneficiary health institutions.
Health facilities expected to benefit from the intervention include the Lunsar Community Health Center, Magbil Community Health Center and St. John of God Catholic Hospital. The donation comprises intensive care unit beds, birthing beds, wheelchairs, crutches, gloves, baby cribs, surgical instruments, patient care materials and blood pressure monitoring machines intended to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery within the chiefdoms.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Managing Director of Marampa Mines Limited, Angula Kalili, said the company places high value on the welfare of the communities in which it operates, noting that responsible mining must extend beyond mineral extraction.
According to Angula Kalili, Marampa Mines Limited remains committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to social development and improved living standards for residents in its host communities.
“Responsible mining goes beyond the extraction of natural resources,” Angula Kalili said. “Investing in the well-being and development of our host communities is a priority that we take seriously as a company.”
He explained that the donation forms part of ongoing efforts by the company to strengthen healthcare services and improve access to quality medical care, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children and the elderly.
Angula Kalili also revealed that the initiative dates back to 2024 when Marampa Mines Limited established a partnership with the Embassy of the United States in Sierra Leone through Project C.U.R.E., a humanitarian organization based in the United States that distributes medical equipment to healthcare institutions around the world.
Through that collaboration, the company has been able to channel medical support to health facilities serving communities around its operations.
“The donation is intended to help strengthen the capacity of these facilities to provide timely and quality health care to the people,” Angula Kalili stated, while also acknowledging the dedication of healthcare workers who continue to serve communities under difficult circumstances.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, who received the items on behalf of the beneficiary facilities, described health as a fundamental pillar of national development and emphasized the importance of partnerships in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
“Health is wealth. No matter your status in life, having good health is at the centre of what we do,” Dr. Austin Demby said.
Dr. Austin Demby noted that the Government of Sierra Leone continues to invest in the health sector through the recruitment of healthcare workers, the provision of essential medical supplies and the improvement of health infrastructure nationwide. However, he stressed that Government efforts alone are not sufficient and that partnerships with responsible corporate institutions are crucial.
“Government cannot do everything. That is why we value partnerships and we appreciate organizations like Marampa Mines Limited that demonstrate commitment to the communities in which they operate,” Dr. Austin Demby added.
He also highlighted progress made in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates across the country and revealed that Government has launched an ambitious campaign aimed at achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths and zero zero-dose children within the next 300 days.
Dr. Austin Demby encouraged health workers in the beneficiary facilities to make proper use of the donated equipment to improve service delivery and ensure that patients receive quality care in a conducive environment.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom, Koblo Queen II, welcomed the donation and described it as a timely intervention that will help improve healthcare services for residents in the chiefdom.
Koblo Queen II said that access to basic medicines and medical equipment remains a major challenge for many rural communities and that such support will assist healthcare workers in providing more effective treatment and safer maternal care.
Expressing appreciation to the Management of Marampa Mines Limited, Koblo Queen II commended the company for demonstrating what he described as responsible mining and genuine concern for community welfare.
The donation forms part of Marampa Mines Limited’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed at supporting essential services and strengthening collaboration with Government and local stakeholders in communities surrounding its operations.
