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Who is Fooling Who?…   -Finance Ministry Or Healthcare Workers?

Amin Kef Sesay

The Government of Sierra Leone on 21 April 2020  represented by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health and Sanitation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with representatives of Healthcare Workers (the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Nurses Association and the Sierra Leone Association of Community Health officers) establishing a compensation and incentive package tor the COVID-19 response in Sierra Leone.

One of the commitments of the incentive package was that “All healthcare workers will be provided with a cash risk allowances in lieu of their PAYE (Pay as You Earn) tax deduction for the period of three (5) months commencing April 2020, subject to review as may be necessary.

In fulfilment of this commitment by the Government, the Ministry of Finance said it is informing the general public that, as at 29th May 2020, Government has paid Le6,529,184,393 to 8,889 Healthcare Workers as PAYE tax rebate for the months of April and May 2020. The tax refund was paid into their accounts directly during the payment of the salaries for May 2020.

It was underscored that Government will continue to make monthly tax refunds to Healthcare workers as and when monthly salaries are paid.

According to the Finance Ministry the payment is in addition to the weekly allowances of Le l, 000,000 paid by the COVID-19 Emergency Operation Centre to Healthcare Workers at the treatment and isolation centres, laboratories and quarantine homes/centres.

Again, the Ministry of Finance informed that Government is concluding arrangements with the National Insurance Company on an insurance policy for Healthcare Workers that either become infected with Covid-19 and/or subsequently die during the course of the combating and treatment of persons infected with Covid-19. It also stated that Government will also provide free tuition and other forms of educational support up to a maximum of three (3) children, up to 1 degree level, for any Healthcare Worker who losses his/her 1ife in
the discharge of their duties in the combatting and treatment of persons infected with Covid-19.

It concludes that the Government is keen to ensure that frontline Healthcare Workers are provided with the required incentives to facilitate their efforts und activities in combating COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

Interestingly, the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) on the 3 June, 2020 issued another Press Release relating to the same issue in which it noted with dismay the Press Release from the Ministry of Finance dated 2 June 2020, stating that all healthcare workers have been paid COVID 19 allowances as per the MOU signed by the healthcare workers.

The SLMDA categorically made it clear that Healthcare workers of all cadres have been working assiduously since the 1st case of COVID-19 was announced on 31st March 2020.

It furthered that even when faced with lack of resources, equipment and consumables, they as healthcare workers gave their best. Members of the SLMDA lamented how it is very disheartening to note that only lip service is being paid to the efforts of healthcare workers stating how there are a lot of unfulfilled promises being made and not translated into reality.

They underscored that allowances to healthcare workers in the very forefront in treatment and isolation centres are almost non-existent at the end of the second month in the COVID-19 fight maintaining how the promised PAYE refund has been erratic and only paid to some.

The organization expressed thanks to all the non-governmental organizations and development partners that have been stepping in to rectify/remedy all the lapses and shortcomings of the COvID-19
response.

The SLMDA further took into cognisance the disgruntlement of all healthcare workers from doctors through the nursing staff, laboratory technicians or scientists, CHOs, pharmacists, surveillance officers to hygienists.

It concluded by admonishing that if the situation is not resolved within 48hrs, it will lead to a massive disruption in healthcare services in the country enjoining the general public to continue to observe handwashing, social distancing and the use of face masks in public areas as the fight against the CoviD-19 pandemic continues.

“Repeal of Public Order Act is a Must…”     -Information Ministry Assures

Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Swarray

By Amin Kef Sesay

Contrary to earlier news making the rounds on different news outlets that Parliament has decided to withdraw the Public Order Act from its table and such has created disillusionment amongst media practitioners in the country, the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications has challenged that assertion.

In a Press Release issued by the Ministry on the 4th June,2020 it was categorically made known its attention  has been drawn to the withdrawal of the bill entitled “The Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2019” that was tabled in the Well of Parliament on 14 November 2019.

It furthered that such was only made known to the Ministry through the media by the Leader of Government Business and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment and Public Service Hon Mathew Nyuma.

According to the Information Ministry, it could be recalled that following the presentation of the aforementioned Bill in the Well of Parliament by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Swarray, Parliament deferred the debate due to Parliamentary recess

Since its deferment, it continued,  the Ministry and its partners have engaged various stakeholders including Parliamentary Oversight Committees, Law Officers Department, Independent Media Commission, SLAJ and its constituent bodies and the general public on the repeal process.

The Ministry reiterated that Government through the Ministry of Information and Communications is firmly committed to repeal process further stating it is firmly committed to repealing Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965 as reaffirmed by His Excellency the President during the State Opening of the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on the
28th May 2020.

It also maintained that the Ministry is assuring its partners and the general public that the Bill entitled The Public Order (Amendment) Act, 2019′ and the ‘Independent Media Commission Bill 2020’ will soon be tabled before Parliament following the recess.

This latest response by the Ministry of Information came in the wake of what was peddled that the decision to withdraw the Act was communicated to the House by Hon. Matthew Nyuma, who is the Leader of Government Business referencing Parliamentary Standing Orders indicating that a bill should not be laid in Parliament for a specific period of time without a debate on it.

If that was true, it means in simple terms that it was an indication that the House can no longer immediately debate the much anticipated Repeal of the Criminal libel laws.

It could be recalled that during the political campaigns leading to the March 2018 Presidential Elections, President Julius Maada Bio then flagbearer of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party noted on several occasions that journalists were practicing their profession in an environment that was not enabling.

According to the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swarray this state of affairs is primarily due to the existence of the 54 year old Criminal and Seditious Libel law of 1965.

“It was a campaign commitment we promised and we have done that. It is only now a matter of time, it is not when or if. In the 54 year history the criminal libel you will soon see its back”

He further noted that the draconian law has created a situation where the profession has not been able to attract the best of brains and the much needed investment. For this reason Government has taken an unprecedented step towards the repeal of the law.

“Because of the state of the criminal libel law of 1965 the journalism profession was not able to attract the best and brightest of minds, except for those of you who have said damn the consequences I am going to be there. But ordinarily it frightens a lot of people to go into shark infested waters”

Minister Swarray pointed out that Government’s action will prove Sierra Leoneans wrong who thought the promise was a lip service, describing the Bio led Government as a “Tok and Do administration”.

“We want to be able to attract much needed investment into the sector, we want to be able to attract the best and brightest minds that is why we have taken the unprecedented historic step to repeal the criminal libel law”

The Information Minister also informed press men that the law has already been gazetted. Prior to the advent of COVID-19  the country’s Information Minister informed press men that his attention is focused on activities that will be rolled out after the repeal process including but not limited to effective public engagement whilst encouraging journalists to practice with the highest standards of professionalism even after the repeal.

Journalists Benefit from MRCG Covid-19 Reporting Training

Cross Section of Journalists present at the training

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to improve the capacity of journalists, reporters, DJs and presenters on reporting and providing public education on COVID-19, considered to be important components in the fight, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) in collaboration with the SLAJ Corona Response Committee (SLAJ-CRC) and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have on Thursday 4th June, 2020 held a one day training programme for journalists on Covid-19 reporting at the Young Women’s Christian Association Hall on Syke Street in Freetown.

In his statement, Chairman of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), Dr. Francis Sowa, disclosed that one of the most important elements needed in the fight against the disease, is effective public information dissemination and public education in order to ensure the public adopts all the recommended health protocols, adding that under the leadership of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), they have embarked on major public education and sensitization programmes through radio and television engagements to complement the efforts of the Government.

He said the training is organised by the MRCG in collaboration with the SLAJ Corona Response Committee (SLAJ-CRC) in order to build the capacity of journalists in response to the COVID -19 outbreak in Sierra Leone by improving their understanding to identify, check and debunk fake news on COVID-19 and equip them with guidelines for reporting during emergencies which will complement the communication objectives of the Government, as outlined in the National COVID-19 Communications Strategy underscoring how the role of the media in the fight against and the containment of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone cannot be overemphasized at a moment like this when the country is faced with the virus.

In his presentation on the topic “Understanding, Identifying, Checking and Debunking Fake News on Covid-19”, Director of Media, Alumni & International Relations, University of Sierra Leone, Tonya Musa (PhD) lamented that false information and fake news are the major issues of concern regarding public engagement about mitigating the transmission of COVID 19.

He said that rumours are a second form of misinformation and one popular conspiracy theory exists that the virus was developed as a means to wage a biological war against China.

“In China, a rumour spread that bioweapons research in a Wuhan laboratory resulted in the genetic engineering of COVID-19 that was then released. Such rumours may have even jeopardized the working relationship between Western scientists and their Chinese counterparts searching for a COVID-19 vaccine,” he asserted.

He said that UNESCO also observes as follows: “Unreliable and false information is spreading around the world to such an extent that some commentators are now referring to the new avalanche of misinformation that’s accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic as a ‘disinfodemic’.”

In underscoring how to identify fake news, he said, such comes in different formats; either as written texts or videos, or audio recordings or cartoons or advertorials or other artistic designs. Even some of what is considered today as fake news does not always come by way of straight forward claims, adding that in the current crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, media workers are as vital as other essential professionals and that many factors are transforming the communications landscape, raising questions about the quality, impact and credibility of journalism.

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who presented on the Code of Ethics of the Association, disclosed that the Code of Ethics is to address the ethical issues facing Sierra Leone’s journalism and that it draws inspiration and conforms to most of the principles drawn from other Codes of Ethics and international best practices.

He said that the code also ensures that journalists adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behaviour in performing their duties and the Code provides guide to professional media practice, and it is therefore applicable to those practicing journalism in Sierra Leone.

Underscoring the code of ethics, he noted, that Article 1 talks about Freedom And Responsibility of which journalists shall at all times strive to uphold and defend the rights of freedom of expression and information, the principle of media freedom and responsibility, and the right of the public to be informed.

He also said Article 2 talks about the Respect for National Values, Public Interest and Social Responsibility of which he stated that Journalists shall help to promote national unity, the universal principles of human rights, democracy, justice, equity, and peace.

Supporting or encouraging violence, incitement or hatred, against religious or ethnic minorities and social exclusion, including persons with disabilities must be discouraged.

He concluded by noting that journalists should ensure that they uphold the code and ethics of the Association in the cause of practicing their duties as media practitioners.

Giving the closing remarks, UNDP’s Head of Communications, Hassan Jalloh, expressed appreciation to the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the SLAJ Corona Response Committee (SLAJ-CRC) for making the training a success, which he considered as very important in the fight against Covid-19 in the country.

He noted that Media Practitioners are stakeholders in curtailing the spread of the Covid-19 in the country, adding that UNDP feels honored to support the initiative underscoring how they are very committed to support any venture geared towards equipping journalists on Covid-19 reporting.

UBA Foundation Supports National Radio Teaching Program

United Bank of Africa (UBA) Foundation Handing over the items

By Fatmata Jengbe

With the main objective to complement the Government’s Free Quality Education initiative and to strengthen the National Radio Teaching program amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic in the country, the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Foundation has on Thursday 4th June, 2020 made a symbolic donation which includes one laptop computer and 40 Literature reading textbooks to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education Life streaming Distance Teaching-learning program to make it available and accessible to more than 40,000 children throughout Sierra Leone. The presentation ceremony took place at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, New England Ville in Freetown.

In his presentation, Head of Internal Audit at the United Bank of Africa (UBA) ,Kunle Oyewole, stated that the Bank thought it fit at a time like this when school children are at home and learning through the National Radio Teaching Program ,to donate one laptop computer and 40 Literature reading textbooks to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education saying he strongly believes that such will help in facilitating the National Radio Teaching program.

He disclosed that the presentation of the 40 Literature reading textbooks is symbolic further disclosing how the Bank has these books in store and they will partner with the Ministry to ensure that they are distributed to schools in order to help the beneficiaries improve their reading abilities.

He further revealed that under the Read Africa Initiative program, that strives to imbibe the culture of reading among African children across the globe, the UBA Foundation further amplifies the efforts of the MBSSE by presenting literature books for kids in junior and senior secondary schools.

He relayed that, this is a long-standing partnership with the Ministry of MBBSE, stating clearly that even after the COVID 19 Pandemic UBA through the UBA Foundation will continue to support the Government’s effort in providing free quality education for every child in Sierra Leone.

Receiving the items, the Communications Specialist in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Ibrahim Sheriff, expressed appreciation to the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Foundation for the kind donation towards the Live Streaming Distance Teaching-Learning Program, adding that since schools closed down the Ministry has been working with different institutions in engaging school children of this country of which the UBA Bank has been one of their partners.

He stated that Laptop Computer constraint is one of the constraints faced by the Ministry in rolling out its Live Streaming Distance Teaching-Learning Program expressing hope that with this donation by the UBA it will make it easy for them now to do live streaming of the Teaching-learning program and pupils can now access it wherever they are in the world.

He called on pupils to access the Teaching-Learning Program through the Ministry’s Website on www.mbbsse.gov.sl and that if they are using the website and select E-Learning it will be at free of cost due to the partnership they have with Orange-SL.

Michael Family Extends Philanthropic Gesture to Connaught Isolation Unit

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 3rd June 2020, the Michael Family extended their philanthropic gesture to the Infectious Disease/Isolation units of the Connaught Hospital in Freetown coming just two days after reaching out to the Aberdeen Women Center.

The event again saw another donation of food items as the Connaught Hospital Infectious Disease/Isolation units received food items worth over Le 25 million.

Amongst the donated items were; 50 bags of rice, five bags of onions, 10 cartons of peak milk, 50 packet Olinda tea bags, five gallon palm oil (5 ‘batter’), 50 packets of coffee, all presented by the Public Relations Manager of Mercury International, Alhaji Komba on behalf of Martin and Basita Michael and the entire Michael family.

Handing over the items, Manager Komba said the Michael family considers health care workers as well as ill people as the major targeted beneficiaries of donor supports at this particular time of the health situation in the country.

He said: “The Michael Family has always been making such philanthropic gestures in the country and this is a continuation of the family’s selfless quest to give back to society; especially at a moment like this, when the country is been ravaged by the imminent danger of the COVID-19 invasion.”

“On behalf of the Michael family, I’m pleased to officially make this donation as a way of complementing your dedication and service to saving lives of affected persons of the deadly corona virus,” Komba said  and further urged them to utilize the said items for its intended purpose and to also continue their good work of serving humanity.

Dr. Mamadu Baldeh, Medical Officer in Charge of the Connaught Hospital Infectious Disease/Isolation Units said they are pleased to be amongst the beneficiaries of the goodwill gesture from the Michael family whom he said, are well-known as being kind and compassionate to people who are in distress.

He said: “We are pleased to receive this good gesture from the Michael Family at a difficult time like this, as it will help us as well as the patients.”

In May this year, the Michael Family donated the sum of Le100, 000,000 (one hundred Million Leones) to the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the campaign against the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the past years, the Michael family have also been donating food items to Don Bosco, Heavens Home, Educaid SL, to name a few, amongst many other Charitable organizations in the country.

Sponsored by Mercury International…   Girls Secondary School in Port Loko 37% Completed

(Second from left) Project Consultant, Mr AbelOmomake of IDEAS Ltd giving a structural analysis of the progress made so far

By Amin Kef Sesay

It has been confirmed by Abel Omomake, Architect and Project Manager of IDEAS Ltd, that the Mercury International Sports Betting and Lottery Company fully sponsored construction of the All Girls Secondary School in Port Loko is 37% complete, just 10 weeks after commencement of work at the construction site.

As the consultant to the project, Abel and IDEAS Ltd, who did the design and are also responsible for supervising the contractor in relation to the quality of work and the overall management of the project, sounded very optimistic for a successful completion of the project within the speculated time.

Giving his structural analysis of the progress made so far on the site following conducted inspection tour by officials of Mercury International, Resident Minister North-West Region, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara and the Chiefdom Speaker of Bakelokoh Chiefdom, Port Loko District, Mr Marlapy M.A. Tarawally, Mr Abel Omomake said he is pleased with the massive progress made by the contractor.

“Already the substructure, which is the foundation work is all completed, he is now on the superstructure which is now in a lintel position. In total I will put the percentage work done on this project at 37% considering the fact that, he is supposed to handover the work by the end of August to meet the new Academic year.  I will say it’s a successful project so far,” Mr Omomake said.

He further revealed that all things been equal, if the contractor maintains his current work pace, they are sure to meet the deadline, adding that they are pleased with the fact that the workers are also keeping to the drawing and specification given to them including their programs submitted to complete the work done.

The Resident Minister North-West Region, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara said she is highly impressed with Mercury International even in the midst of the Corona Virus that has affected the world.

She said: “Even at the nick of time when Corona has taken over the entire world, thereby directly affecting their main source of income which comes from football leagues around the world, they continue with their support to Sierra Leone and the education sector especially with regards the girl child. The structures can tell the huge amount of money committed into the project.”

The Chiefdom Speaker, Mr Marlapy  M.A. Tarawally who represented the Paramount Chief, Bai Sherbora Sehba Gbereh ii  was also full of praise for the Sports Betting and Lottery Company’s support towards the project adding that on behalf of the people of Port Loko, they are appreciative of the work done by the company and the Government.

Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh said he is pleased with the development and ongoing work at the school site, describing the commitment of all partners and the relentless efforts of the contractor and his team towards the completion of the project on time as very impressive.

“This is a commitment from the President and we chose Port Loko because we want to increase the number of girls to attain education in that region. We hope the school will be completed on time and open for the young girls to attend,” he said.

Mercury International Sports Betting Company Managing Director, Martin Edmond Michael and officials from Ideas Limited on 11th March 2020, officially signed the contract for the construction of the Mercury International funded Government All Girls Secondary School in Port Loko and on the 13 March 2020, the MD and Government of Sierra Leone officially handed over the construction document to the Contractor for the commencement of work.

A view of the ongoing construction work

Elizabeth A. Turay Emerges as Deputy Inspector General of Police

Mrs. Elizabeth Augusta Turay

Fatmata Jengbe

By In a latest development during a meeting convened by the Police Council on the 3rd June, 2020 it was decided that Mrs. Elizabeth Augusta Turay has been approved  to be the new Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Madam Turay joined the Force on the 1st of October 1988 as cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. Up to her current appointment, she was the Director of Operations.

As Director of Operations, she became the first and only woman in the Force to serve in that capacity.
And on her appointment as DIG, she has again become the first woman to ever ascend to the second highest office/position in the Sierra Leone Police.

In her new position she will be assisting the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula, to enhance the maintenance of law and order as well as the protection of property in the country.

Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C) Well Prepared Prior to COVID-19 Outbreak

Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C)

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Manager and Director of Administration of  the Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C) in Freetown, Dalanda Bah, has intimated this news medium that the Center, which is situated on Campbell Street in Freetown was well prepared in terms of adhering to precautionary medical measures and guidelines well before the infiltration or outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

“Management was and is still alerting and engaging members of staff of the Center by constantly sensitizing them about the presence, dangers of the virus and the precautionary measures that must be followed and adhered to in order to avoid contracting this highly dangerous germ,” the charismatic and result-oriented Manager and Director further revealed.

Dalanda added that when COVID-19 was declared as a global pandemic, training sessions were conducted at the Center by Dr. Olivia Farrant of the Kings-Sierra Leone Partnership and her very self with the avowed objective of broadening the horizon of the knowledge of staff on COVID-19 in addition to what is required of them in the daily discharge of their respective medical functions and duties.

“Initially our staff lacked imported Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and as a result we resorted to the use of locally manufactured ones to continue the performance of our staff’s respective duties and assignments,” Dalanda also mentioned further underscoring how they were right on top of the situation way back referencing it as a reason  why their doors were wide open even when the coronavirus was slowly spreading in the country also pinpointing that if they had acted contrary then some of their clients could have probably lost their lives.

The Director and Manager also stated, during our exclusive engagement, that their doctors are highly trained and equipped to handle positive COVID-19 patients who are simultaneously suffering from various renal diseases disclosing how they were first to implement machine hand washing at the Center in order to prevent contracting the virus.

“When unfortunately we had patients that were diagnosed positive with COVID-19 and at the same time suffering from renal diseases we came up with a schedule that made provision for such patients to exclusively undergo dialysis. Even though the clinic was running at a loss, we transformed the entire system just for patients to undergo dialysis and we were doing so in order to save lives,” Dalanda revealed furthering how during that phase the Center maintained an isolation room in order to keep Positive COVID-19 individuals away from other patients who were visiting the clinic and ensured strict adherence to the preventive measures instituted by health practitioners like hand washing, social distancing etc.

She emphasized that the clinic is complementing the efforts of Government in trying to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country, adding that their strides and initiatives have saved lives also stating that if patients with dialysis go one week without treatment there is the great possibility that they will suffer and die also maintaining that the clinic would not like such to happen to any of their patients.

At this juncture, it is important to note that the kidneys in humans are very vital organs as they are responsible for the removal of waste products from the body and removal of excessive fluids.  When kidneys can no longer perform these functions at sufficient capacity, the result is kidney disease, also called renal failure. Usually, renal failure occurs as the result of a gradual decrease in the efficiency of the kidneys over a long period (chronic renal failure).

It has been established that worldwide poor diet, excessive intake of sodium, excessive medication, that is use of all types of medicines that cannot fit the body, also causes kidney failure.

Lamentably, this country’s health care system has suffered from a serious vacuum as the country for a considerable period of time lacked a modernized Dialysis Treatment Center with the resultant effect that individuals who were diagnosed with renal failure had to go through the hassle of having to incur the expenses of travelling to Ghana and other countries with good health systems in order to access professional treatment.

Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C) is one that is specialized in treating renal diseases and has started educational series for the masses using the social media to educate the masses on kidney diseases.

Invariably, what that meant was that it was only rich people that could access qualitative treatment abroad and the poor had to bear the brunt of living their lives on tenterhooks, only surviving by the grace of the Almighty God.

Fortunately, there was a U-turn to this abysmal situation when on the 5th of August 2016, the Alhaji Umaru Sillah Dialysis Center was established which later culminated into the Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C).

Situated on 8 Campbell Street in Freetown, the Dialysis Center is very easily accessible to patients of any physical condition and ambulances in case of an emergency and more importantly they are neighbors with pharmacies, laboratories, clinics and their clinicians are also a short distance away from the location.

As a privately owned and managed Dialysis Center in Sierra Leone, the health entity is offering dialysis treatment to those who have been diagnosed with Renal Diseases thereby facilitating patients’ need for good quality of life and the enhancement of their wellbeing.

In terms of the Center’s philosophy and vision, Management of S&DC are striving their best to make sure that no dialysis patient goes untreated.

According to Dalanda Bah for those who go to them with renal failure diagnosis, the goal is to treat and educate them to improve their quality of life, counsel them and their caregivers to stay positive and to cope with their new way of life and stand by them as their means of support.

The Shifaa and Dialysis Center has a team of competent and specialized medical staff comprising a Certified Nephrologist, General Physician Consultant, Dialysis Nurses, Dialysis Technicians and nurses who deliver onsite education and counseling on nutrition, dialysis and renal disease. These are professionals in their own rights.

Dr. Komrabai Kanu, a highly professional Sierra Leonean doctor, regularly plays a supervisory role over the team of medics in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone concerning medical practitioners working in the country. He mentors, counsel, guides, corrects and participates in daily services professionally and with courtesy. His immense wisdom is very impressive.

As a matter of fact, the Center is considered as a One-Stop Renal Center in Sierra Leone as it provides quality care for all dialysis patients at every level of their disease. The Center is capable of treating renal patients requiring dialysis at any stage of their disease. It also provides the following services: Consultation for Renal patients, Hemodialysis Treatment, Temporary and Permanent (Tunnelized) catheter insertion, referral to other specialists as necessary, dialysis education for patients and their families. Other services provided include, Diet Counselling, Psychological and Coping advice, Catheter Dressing change for those who need it on the days that they do not have a dialysis treatment.

Shifaa and Dialysis Centre is opened between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and after hours, they are open for emergencies only. Shifaa Dialysis Centre is calling on all Sierra Leoneans on Dialysis to come and visit their facility.

The Center could be reached via: WhatsApp: +1347 400 6288, Salone number: +232 79225639, Email: Shifaadialysiscenter@gmail.com, website: shifaadialysiscenter.com

NP-SL Continues to Deepen Socio-Economic Growths in West Africa

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone (NP-SL Ltd) has been rated as one of the well-established indigenous companies that are constructively and positively impacting the socio-economic development of the country.

This thriving and forward-looking company had its humble beginning when thirty-five former workers of the British Petroleum Company that folded up by selling its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone which in turn also sold those shares to the 35 aforementioned founding fathers.

After that transaction, as a result of the selflessness on the part of the founders, coupled with the thorough infusing of brilliant initiatives, NP-SL Ltd has continued to make steady progress within the petroleum landscape of this country.

One area that the Shareholders and various Management teams placed premium on and harnessed very well relates to enhancing customer care. As far as these founders were concerned giving maximum and utmost satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers was very paramount among its development agenda.

It was against such a backdrop that they took the decision to import and install modern and well-functioning calibrated pumping machines at all its leading Filling Stations. These calibrated pumping machines, it has been proven, are highly capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel that customers demand or purchase as they are manufactured in ways that make it possible to display the prices and quantity of fuel put in for.

Many have indeed expressed satisfaction relating to their performance based on the fact that whenever customers conduct transactions they always have the feeling that they are deriving value for money.

Well known as 1st for Customer Care posture, this result-oriented oil marketing company has been at the forefront in taking into consideration various concerns expressed not only but its customers but also the wider citizenry as well. In the mapping out of corporate policies these expressed concerns are factored as the Managers do hold the strong conviction that external decisions and concerns are very vital sources of developing marketing strategies and solidly rolling them out for the development of the business entity.

One portfolio that the company has been successfully implementing really borders on consistently abiding by the country’s Local Content Policy which puts premium on effectively making use of both local human and material resources.

It has been ascertained that it is a laid down policy on the part of the company to have in its employ Sierra Leoneans unless on rare occasions when foreign expertise, knowledge or skill is required. This stance on the part of the Shareholders of the company has been highly and widely hailed as one that is very good and instrumental within the realm of poverty reduction and availing those who were hitherto jobless to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

To make business transaction very simplistic the owners of the petroleum company thought it prudent to introduce the use of NP Smart Card. With this Card that contains a memory chip, a customer can credit it or load it with a certain amount of money which he or she can in turn use to purchase fuel, petrol or diesel, without making use of physical cash. It has been rated as a very convenient channel of purchasing fuel and gives customers the advantage to properly budget for the purchase of a required quantity of fuel for a period of say a week or month. NP Smart Card, it has been agreed, promotes the safety of customers’ monies as it minimizes the possibility of losing monies that are assigned to be used to purchase fuel.

NP Gas has been identified by many as an efficient cooking gadget simply because of fastness in terms of high speed performance. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes and marketed at the company’s Filling Stations and by authorized dealers, NP Gas could be easily refilled with gas that can be secured from the company. Environmentalists have certified it as not injurious to the health of individuals by any harmful gaseous emissions. It is sold at affordable prices and now going like hot cakes on the market.

This top notch oil marketing company has etched its name for championing the rolling out of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) through giving support to certain national causes. The company was recently very magnanimous to donate the sum of One Billion Leones to the Government of Sierra Leone as its own contribution towards the fight against the spread of coronavirus in the country. Such a decision, it was made known, came out of the belief that if we are to succeed in the fight against this enemy of progress then it demands collective action.

Still within the domain of implementing its CRS, NP-SL Ltd is on record for capacitating the National Fire Force, Kissy Branch, with a state of art water facility that is capable of pumping a considerable amount of water into fire engines to be used for fire extinguishing purposes within Greater Freetown. This was considered to be a big boost for the Fire Force especially when cognisance is taken of the constraints to access water.

So far it has been agreed that NP-SL Ltd is one of the fastest growing and enterprising companies as evident in establishing branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company is doing so much with regards deepening socio-economic developments everywhere it is operating and improving lives.

Orange SL Set to Launch Solar Energy Package

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Orange Sierra Leone, highly regarded as one of the country’s foremost telecommunications companies in the country and vibrantly operating to the satisfaction of its numerous subscribers, is now doggedly poised to launch its first ever solar package, Orange Energy, on the Sierra Leone market.

The first place where this Orange Energy will be implemented is Kabala. In that regard, subscribers are this new product will reach that part of the country. Residents are therefore informed that: “Light don kam na Kabala!  Lighten your home for an affordable price in Kabala with Orange Energy. Get the new Orange Energy Solar kit available in Kabala by visiting No.1 Koinadugu Road to get one or to know more.

It has been well established that solar energy systems do not produce air pollution, water pollution or greenhouse gases. Scientifically, using solar energy can have a positive, indirect effect on the environment as it reduces or replaces the use of other energy sources that pose great threats to the environment.

The company’s new package is aimed at providing reliable, affordable and safe solar electricity to homes without electricity supply as it will enable users get rid of expensive, dangerous and noisy generators and replace such with modern solar electricity that can power up to 3 utility bulbs, radio, a fan and a television set.

The package will first be on offer in areas without grid especially in the provinces, before it can be extended to other parts of the country. The technology includes a panel linked to an indoor unit that allows customers to access significant amount of power on demand with an easy payment process which will be done conveniently.

With the launch of the Orange Energy project,  Orange Sierra Leone will again demonstrate its innovative prowess as the strongest provider of Telecoms and life changing services that use digital innovation as its main driver in promoting social and economic development in the country with diverse products and services to meet the needs and desires of Sierra Leoneans.

The launch of this new product is aimed at creating a touch point with customers by providing them with the platform for proper and accessible energy usage in line with the company’s availability and affordability principles.

The company’s device and product catalogue plus its network resonates with the profound needs of its valued subscribers, ensure that children and young people even the aged have access to reliable, affordable and safe solar electricity in a seamless manner.

With the Basic and Premium Kit, subscribers of the product will have the opportunity of accessing electricity in their homes with a flexible payment method that can be done on a weekly or monthly basis or one-off payment all depending on the category requested.

It has been noted that the heartbeat of Orange SL’s business is their customers as the company is indebted to give them a unique/exceptional experience under its flagship of customer focus.

“Our main priorities are customer experience, enhancing quality of service, business growth and product diversity. Orange remains committed to keeping its valued customers ahead through the provision of latest technologies along with reliable and superior network quality through an enhanced world class system for an unmatched experience,” the company disclosed maintaining that Orange Energy is coming soon to your own area!

#OrangeKushe #LightDonKam #OrangeEnergy

 

 

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