January 10, 2022
By Audrey John
Sierra Leone’s principal adult referral, Connaught Hospital, has received a commitment from the United States-based Sierra Leonean federation, Sierra Leone As One (SLAO), to provide the facility in Freetown with solar power.
Mr Ibrahim Koroma, the Secretary-General of the association, a federation of more than thirty organizations from the U.S., disclosed this to the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby, at a meeting with him at the Youyi Building.
He said, for now, the primary aim of SLAO, formed two years ago, is to provide Connaught with power and that the move would help ease the electricity burden at the hospital and ensure effective delivery of quality healthcare services to patients.
Initial plans, according to the Secretary-General were to secure solar energy equipment from the U.S., but they were advised to use the services of a company in Freetown that provides the same services for ease of purchase and installation.
Minister Demby welcomed the plans by SLAO and urged them and other organizations to do more for their country instead of waiting on the Government’s intervention.
“My challenge to you is that do not hesitate to think a little big as the Government is ready to work with you in a public-private partnership. Let us come up with ideas and solutions that we will work towards,” he said.
Dr. Demby also encouraged SLAO to come and invest with the assurance that the Government is prepared to ensure that the enabling environment is created for them to thrive.
The high cost of fuel and consumption make it difficult, according to sources, for the hospital to sustain its multiple backup generators daily.
Also, the need for a more sustainable means of generating electricity could not have come at a better time for the hospital. The demand and supply of oxygen to patients are at an all-time high, five surgical theatres are in full operation, and they now have more surgeons than at the Emergency hospital at Godrich.
SLAO, which was launched in the U.S. in August 2020, was formed primarily to assist back in the country.
Other speakers during the meeting include Deputy Ministers of Health I & II, Anthony Augustine Sandy and Dr. Amara Jambai. In attendance also was Rachel Horner Diaspora Affairs Coordinator Sierra Leone Embassy in D.C., Zainab Bangura Vice President SLAO, Isha Deen Financial Secretary SLAO, Ekundayo Williams Public Relations Officer SLAO.