During her debate on the Presidential Speech, delivered by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio at the State Opening of the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament, Hon. Aminata Sesay, the astute female Member of Parliament representing Portloko District, called for a parliamentary investigation into the condition of Connaught and Jui Hospitals.
Hon. Sesay raised several concerning issues regarding the state of these hospitals, highlighting that Connaught Hospital has only one oxygen cylinder to serve the entire facility. She further informed the House that Jui Hospital is operating with just one functional ambulance. In a critical statement, she revealed that the only blood bank at Connaught Hospital is now over ten years old, stressing the urgency of addressing these deficiencies to save lives.
In response to these concerns, The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and the parliamentary leadership expressed strong interest in the issues raised by Hon. Sesay. As a result, the Speaker ordered the Clerk of Parliament to establish a special committee to investigate the situation. The Clerk was also instructed to arrange for the management of Connaught and Jui Hospitals to appear before Parliament for further scrutiny in the coming week. Hon. Sesay was asked to provide detailed information to the Clerk to facilitate the investigation.
While speaking on the matter, Hon. Sesay also commended President Bio for his investments in hospital infrastructure, particularly the Lumbly Hospital, which boasts 166 beds. She acknowledged the quality of the infrastructure but urged the government to ensure that these buildings are equipped with standardized and essential medical equipment.
Furthermore, Hon. Sesay expressed concern over the sanitary conditions in many government hospitals. She referenced an alarming situation at a hospital in Lokomasa, where patients are required to bring their own bedsheets before being admitted. She warned that this practice, along with the general lack of hygiene, poses a significant health risk, potentially leading to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
The Member of Parliament also raised concerns about unprofessional conduct in some government hospitals, calling for reforms in the healthcare sector to address these issues.
In her speech, Hon. Aminata Sesay also drew attention to the neglect of corporate social responsibilities by Leone Rock mining company. She criticized the company for its slow response to workers’ welfare, particularly after accidents. Hon. Sesay recounted a tragic incident in which a worker at Leone Rock lost three fingers due to a workplace accident, yet the company only provided basic first aid, without further support or treatment. She emphasized that her advocacy on this issue is motivated by her desire to represent the best interests of the people of Portloko District.