By: Problyn Alpha
Residents of Koidu City have raised serious concerns regarding a rampant wave of theft, particularly targeting motorbikes belonging to staff, visitors, and patients at the Koidu Government Hospital. Despite the hospital’s recent reputation as one of the nation’s most efficient referral centers, its management faces mounting pressure to quell this escalating menace.
Reports suggest a well-coordinated syndicate operating within the hospital premises, allegedly involving security guards colluding with perpetrators. Alimamy Kamara, a victim of this spree, expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the apparent failure of security personnel to fulfill their primary duty of safeguarding lives and property. Kamara emphasized the hospital’s compromised safety, not only for staff but also for patients and visitors, with incidents extending beyond motorbike theft to other valuable possessions.
Joseph Kamara, the hospital’s secretary, corroborated the alarming trend, affirming that the issue affects both workers and non-workers alike. Despite the hospital’s perimeter fencing and manned entry points, thefts continue unabated, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures. Kamara acknowledged the universal responsibility of security guards to protect lives and property but noted a glaring absence of dedicated personnel to oversee the security of motorbikes—a crucial oversight contributing to the escalating thefts.
In response to the crisis, the hospital management plans to implement stricter visitation regulations, limiting access after 7 p.m. and permitting only one relative per patient to stay overnight in the wards. Additionally, visitors and patients’ relatives are advised to invest in external lockers for their motorbikes as a precautionary measure against theft.
The persistence of theft within the hospital premises not only threatens the safety and security of individuals but also undermines the hospital’s reputation and trust within the wider community. As stakeholders demand urgent action to address this pressing issue, the management faces the daunting task of fortifying security measures to restore confidence and ensure the safety of all within the hospital’s vicinity.