Austin Demby, Minister of Health, has encouraged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to return home and invest in the healthcare sector. Minister Demby was speaking at the Civic Day Series in the United States.
“There are doctors and nurses here, and you must work together as a unit to build the sophisticated facilities that you see here, so that the same facilities can be found in our country. “It may not be your own money, but you can bring partners on board to assist,” Minister Demby stated.
Dr Demby, who was based in the United States, acknowledged the contributions of many diasporans. Minister Demby also praised President Bio’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system. Sierra Leoneans living in countries such as the United States travel to their home country on medical missions every year to help communities.
“The medical missions you do are very important, continue with it to offload some of the burdens on the health care system,” he told the crowd. Dr Demby also encouraged them to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health’s Diaspora Office and coordinate their efforts so that “it could have much more impact”.
Minister Demby took the time to explain the transformation taking place in the health sector at home, from a drop in maternal mortality rates to more than 70%, to major investments such as hospital construction and primary healthcare expansion.
