By Amin Kef Sesay
It is barley nine (9) months now since the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, turned the sod for the construction of a 100-bed Paediatric hospital at the 34 Military Hospital, Wilberforce in Freetown of which the construction work is mainly funded by Kings Production- Sierra Leone Limited, a non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing company that has its headquarter at Kissy in the East End of Freetown.
This medium on Friday 20th August, 2021 caught up with the Head of Joint Medical Unit of the Republic of Sierra Leone Army Forces, Dr. Stephen Sevalie, during which he granted an exclusive interview at his office to throw light on the significance of the 100-bed Paediatric hospital at the 34 Military Hospital when it should have been commissioned.
Dr. Stephen Sevalie profoundly commended the First Lady and Kings Production Sierra Leone Limited for coming up with the initiative of beefing up the health sector in the country, adding that the construction of the 100-bed Paediatric facility at the 34 Military Hospital is not just meant to cater for military personnel but rather for all and sundry, citizens and non-citizens.
He intimated that 80 percent of their patients are civilians from different parts of the country maintaining that the facility under construction will give a big boost to the 34 Military Hospital generally and the entire country in particular.
The Head of Joint Medical Unit of the Republic of Sierra Leone Army Forces underscored that one of the key indicators that they are using to assess the country’s health sector is taking into consideration the maternal and infant mortality rates furthering how they are grappling with a lot of challenges in their strides to offer qualitative medical services to those who are in dire need of such services.
Dr. Stephen Sevalie revealed how the Ola During Memorial Hospital, on Fourah Bay Road, East End of Freetown, is also challenged with beddings revealing that in most cases 3 children are admitted to a bed reiterating that the capacity of the hospital is limited and the infrastructure inadequate expressing optimism that with the completion of the 100-bed Paediatric hospital at the 34 Hospital such will surely be a big boost towards child care maintaining that in the long term it will also enhance positive indicators on maternal, infant and child mortality in the country.
He disclosed that over the years the 34 Military Hospital only had a 20-30 bed pediatric facility and recounted the lot of challenges faced which inevitably made it possible for only a limited number of children to be admitted adding that the move by both the First Lady and Kings Production Limited is a laudable one geared towards addressing the issue of capacity and infrastructure at the hospital.
The Head of Joint Medical Unit also noted that the chain of command of the Republic of Sierra Leone Army Forces has been very proactive towards monitoring the construction work on the facility, adding that recently Senior Management, which include the Minister of Defense; CDS, the Commander of the Joint Medical Unit of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces visited the facility stating how during their visit to the facility they used the opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to the Office of the Lady and the Kings Production for beefing up the 34 Military Hospital and for their commitment towards ensuring the development of the health sector in the country.
He revealed that hopefully the 100-bed Paediatric hospital at the 34 Military Hospital will be completed within few months from now.
Underscoring the impact that the new facility will create within the medical landscape of the country he said the 34 Military Hospital will no longer refer children to the Ola During Children Hospital also stating how the facility will also have a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit that will cater for children in critical conditions, will administer Paediatric Surgery, have a neonatal ICU, a laboratory for child care, a pharmacy dedicated to children, section for child nutrition, Dental Clinic, Physiotherapy etc.
Dr. Stephen Sevalie used the opportunity to encourage other private institutions to follow the footprint of Kings Production -Sierra Leone Limited by partnering with public institutions in order to facilitate national development.
He again applauded Kings Production for supporting the Office of the First Lady to ensure that the dream of having a 100-bed Paediatric facility at the 34 Military Hospital becomes a reality.
Dr. Stephen Sevalie concluded by extending his warmest gratitude and appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of Kings Production Sierra Leone Limited, Khalil Hijazi, for his exceptional support to the Office of the First Lady in translating the project to become a tangible success from which many stand to benefit.
It could be recalled that on Friday 18th December, 2020 the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, turned the sod for the construction of a 100-bed Paediatric hospital at the 34 Military Hospital, Wilberforce in Freetown during which ceremony the Chief Executive Officer of Kings Production Sierra Leone Limited, Khalil Hijazi in his statement said he was humbled to be present at such an epoch making event and more especially for coming onboard to complement the efforts of the Office of the First Lady to construct a 100-bed Paediatric hospital that will replace the 34 Military Hospital.
Khalil Hijazi maintained that many will stand to benefit from the medical services that will be provided at the new facility.
The result-oriented and charismatic Chief Executive Officer intimated all present that when the project would have been completed and ready for use, members of the public should take ownership of it furthering that he will continue to give support to the First Lady to roll out more development projects.
He revealed that when the First Lady told him about her intention to transform 34 Military Hospital he immediately stepped in to be given the permission to sponsor the project.
The CEO of Kings Production told the audience that because of the numerous challenges in the healthcare sector, they thought it fit to give support to His Excellency the President and the First Lady to implement the project saying it is a laudable venture.
Khalil Hijazi ended up by extending thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President and the First Lady for the tremendous strides they are taking to develop the country.
