The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Planning and Economic Development, Chaired by Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma, on Thursday, 16/05/2024 conducted an oversight tour at the construction site of an Ultra-modern Maternal Hospital in Koidu City, Kono District.
The hospital, the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) is being constructed by a non-governmental organization, Partners in Health (PiH) together with the Government of Sierra Leone, with a total initial investment of Twenty-Eight Million Dollars.
Once completed, the 166-bed facility will be a state-of-the-art complex serving women, and children and a training centre for the next generation of health professionals in Sierra Leone.
During the committee visit, it was observed that a non-governmental organization, Build Health International, was hired by PiH to construct the facilities. In partnership with PiH, the consulting organization is using a model that recruits unskilled locals and transforms them into skilled workers to do various works including; plumbing, welding, electricity, gardener amongst others. At a meeting held at the Kono Government Hospital, the Mayor of the City, Komba M. Sam, while welcoming the MPs, expressed appreciation for the visitation of the Committee and went on to assure the committee of their commitment.
He said when the hospital is completed, Kono would be the best place for health care accessibility. He asked all to continue to support the process. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter, spoke on the mandate and roles of the Committee as enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The MP vehemently stated that their oversight activity is to complement the government’s efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including job creation and poverty reduction. The Chairman emphasized that the oversight is also ensuring that donor money received on behalf of the people of this country is adequately utilized for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone. Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma informed that the Committee is interested to know how the work and plans of every entity, NGO and government alike, are aligned with the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan.
The Chairman also emphasized that they were in Kono to listen and take information from the community and in return, table the report for the attention of the House for deliberations. He assured PiH and stakeholders that they are going to address all challenges affecting the process.
Host Member of Parliament, Hon. Musa Fofana, spoke about the composition of the Committee and its aims and objectives. He acknowledged the effort of people towards the project and the relationship between the stakeholders and PiH, in light of the construction of the Hospital and service delivery.
The dynamic MP recalled the signing of the MOU between PiH and the Government for the project and the Parliamentary ratification of the agreement. Hon. Fofana informed his audience that they were in Kono to oversee the construction project. He observed that indigenous people were giving tremendous support towards the construction, and noted that the project, when completed, would serve as a medical hub in the West African sub-region.
In his presentation, the Programme Manager, Carlos Velazquez, explained the project’s vision, mission and aim. He said the initial investment cost of the project is Twenty-Eight Million Dollars, and they were contributing the sum of 22,500,000 and the Government was also contributing Five Million Dollars, which includes ultra-modern equipment. The Hospital, he said, would have piped oxygen fixed on patients bed, a garden, and a 550 kva transformer, among others. According to him, three out of the four buildings in the complex, including the Birthing Center, the South Ward and the North Ward, will soon be completed. When completed, he said the facility would render inpatient services to more than 5,000 patients annually, and create employment for over four hundred workers, including gardeners, plumbers, electricians, nurses, doctors, counsellors, welders, and pharmacists.
He went on to say that the facility would have various units such as critical care, 3 operation theatres, and would also serve as a hub for training, a strategic excellent health centre and a major referral centre for the country.
Earlier, the Committee Members conducted a tour of the project construction site and observed that local workers were perfecting the construction works and that the structures were standard, with the installation of equipment, The committee later visited the Baroma Community, where one of the largest and advanced medical stores is being constructed. The Committee also assured PiH of their support to address critical issues, including EDSA connectivity of the hospital to the main electricity grid. Overall, the Committee appreciated the project and described it as a first of its kind.
