BY: MOHAMED SAHR
In a concerted effort to elevate the standard of healthcare services in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, unveiled a new facelift for Wards 7 and 8 at Connaught Teaching Hospital in Freetown on Friday, April 5th, 2024.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, hailed the partnership as timely and significant, emphasizing its potential to enhance healthcare delivery across the nation. He expressed confidence that the refurbished wards would be optimally utilized to meet the highest standards of patient care.
Acknowledging Connaught Teaching Hospital’s longstanding legacy of excellence spanning over two centuries, Dr. Demby underscored the government’s commitment to revolutionizing healthcare systems, aiming to dispel decades-old misconceptions prevalent among Sierra Leoneans.
Dr. Demby extended gratitude to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny for their substantial contribution to the transformation of the hospital’s key wards, urging further collaboration from the private sector and other institutions to bolster efforts in delivering quality healthcare.
Sister Josephine Amara, a representative of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny and lead coordinator of the project, highlighted the initiative’s inspiration drawn from the historical legacy of Blessed Anne Maria Javouhey, who served at Connaught Hospital two centuries ago. She affirmed the commitment to upholding quality healthcare as a top priority in honor of their revered mother general.
Dr. Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services, emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and institutions in the hospital’s transformation journey, underscoring collaborative efforts as pivotal in achieving desired standards.
Dr. Ibrahim Mark Kapuwa, Connaught Teaching Hospital Care Manager, emphasized the significance of the ward renovations in addressing critical diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV, heart, and kidney conditions. He praised the wards’ modernized infrastructure, attributing it to the support of the sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny in providing state-of-the-art equipment.
The rejuvenation of Wards 7 and 8 at Connaught Teaching Hospital stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of both government and private stakeholders in advancing healthcare services, marking a milestone in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of quality medical care.