Her Excellency the First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio has turned the sod to start the construction of a 100-bed pediatric hospital at the 34 military hospital at Wilberforce in Freetown on Friday 18th December 2020.
Chief of Staff at the office of the First Lady, Sheik Salim Feika disclosed, that the 34 Military Hospital will be having a facelift with a 100 bed state of the art pediatric hospital, in fulfillment of the commitment made by the First Lady to give more women and children the access to quality medical care and to help achieve the structural goal of the country’s only Military hospital.
He maintained that the office of the First Lady is open for strategic partnership, as working with interested persons and institutions that are ready to transform the country is a priority.
The CEO of Kings Productions Khalil Hidjazi, explained how he got to ask the First Lady to allow his team sponsor the 100 bed hospital project, after she approached him about the idea; stating that, he had no hesitation to get to work, as Kings production believes that the military personnel have sacrificed their lives to keep citizens safe, hence deserve the best of health care services and befitting structures, while explaining the component of the hospital which will include, main wards, doctor’s office, laboratory, pharmacy to name but a few.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Amara Jambai, expressed their profound delight and appreciation as a Ministry, as whatever one does in strengthening the health sector in the country goes a long way in saving lives, as First Lady has been an exemplary figure in that direction and Sierra Leone will forever remember her developmental strides.
According to Dr. Jambai, life begins at the infant age, so constructing a new hospital for children shows the commitment of the first lady to saving lives and her willingness in the fight for the rights of women and girls.
He went on to state that the first lady doesn’t just have big dreams for Sierra Leone, but always actualize them, adding that the ministry of health will always continue to work in partnership with the Office of the First Lady in actualizing her dream and that of the President.
The Minister of Defense Brig. Rtd. Kelli Conteh, said turning the sod will triple the capacity of the previous structure and will help immensely in the treatment of children in the country, as The only referral hospital for children is overcrowded, hence this venture will cushion the burden of the health care system and improve the health status of children in the country.
He furthered that, months ago the First Lady also provided tons of medical supplies to the hospital and that the project is a testament, that the government is committed to transform and develop the health sector in the country as part of the president Bio’s Human Capital Development portfolio.
Chief Minister Professor David Francis, thanked the First Lady for always mobilizing the Private Sector to meet up to their responsibility in supporting the government to develop the country, as the 100-bed hospital at 34 Military Hospital is at the heart of the President’s flagship program of Human Capital Development, amongst which are, Education, Health, and Food.
Prof. Francis maintained, that he is an admirer of the first lady’s resilient effort in working with the Private Sector on development, while he appealed to the First Lady to mobilize the Private Sector to build a 100-bed hospital and ultra-modern schools in all 16 districts in the country, adding that the 100-bed hospital is not just about the First Lady but about infrastructural development in the country.
The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Madam Fatima Maada Bio thanked the leadership of the 34 Military Hospital for always welcoming her since 2005 and for embracing the agenda of the President, as the relationship has since been from better to best, more so when she now considers them as her in-laws.
She mentioned her special bond with the hospital, as she maintained that it must look and feel like the hub for great soldiers of other African countries. Mrs Fatima Maada Bio disclosed that she will be back in the new year to turn the sod for a Center of Excellence structure, which will host rape victims and survivors as safe homes, but more so will be used by the hospital, and further disclosed that Sierra Leone through her Office has been given 50 slots for doctors and nurses to study on how to treat diabetic patients by Merck Foundation.
Madam First Lady appealed to the Private Sector business owners to adopt at least one project as part of their corporate social responsibility, as it will also create employment for locals, as the 34 Military project is overseen by locals and they are involved and represented every step of the way, as a sense of true community ownership.
Strategic Communication Division
Office of The First Lady
info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
+232 303 68273