Ghanaian Professionals Boost Connaught Hospital With Medical Equipment

Concord Times (Freetown)

Alusine Sesay

30 March 2011

Freetown — In a bid to complement efforts aimed at promoting quality health delivery in Sierra Leone, the Ghanaian Association of Professionals in Sierra Leone (GHAPSIL) has donated some basic medical equipment to the Connaught Hospital in Freetown.

Donated items include 20 stethoscopes and 20 sphygmomanometers.

President of the association, Cecil Nartey, noted that the gesture was “to put something into the country where we make our living” as part of their lined-up activities to mark Ghana’s 54th independence anniversary.

“We are enjoying a very good friendly atmosphere in Sierra Leone and therefore deemed it necessary to contribute to some of the needs of the country,” he said, adding that the gift was as a result of contributions from GHAPSIL members, whom he said, shared similar aspirations with the people of Sierra Leone and President Ernest Koroma to improve health delivery in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Nartey also noted that though the group’s objective was to promote the interest of its members in Sierra Leone and network with other organizations to foster development in the country, they also work closely with the Ghanaian High Commission in Sierra Leone to promote the image of Ghana.

In her brief statement, the Ghanaian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Elizabeth Mills-Robertson said Ghanaians have experienced enjoyable stay in Sierra Leone as they go about their lawful business with no hindrance, thus giving most of them a total sense of belonging to the country. She added that the Ghana-Sierra Leone relationship had waxed stronger with time.

On the donated equipment, H.E. Mills-Robertson reiterated that health was very important for the development of any nation hence the donation of basic health delivery equipment as part of their social responsibility to the country. She then appealed to beneficiaries to make good use of the gesture as she promised her country’s continued support to promoting quality health delivery in the country.

Treasurer of GHAPSIL, Kingsford Amoah, maintained that the donation was an extension from last year as they made similar gesture at the PCMH in the observance of their 53rd independence anniversary. He said the gesture was in appreciation of their peaceful stay in the country and that promoting health was part of their move to making the brotherhood between the two countries stronger.

“It is wonderful to share and appreciate our being here in this country,” Mr. Amoah said as he explained that GHAPSIL members live, love and work in Sierra Leone and therefore have the utmost desire to contribute, in their little way, in promoting health and other services in the country.

“We are happy to share, in our little way, to support Connaught Hospital with these basic equipment to keep the brotherhood stronger,” he added.

Connaught Hospital Care Manager, Dr. Thaim Buya Kamara, expressed appreciation for what he referred to as a kind humanitarian gesture towards the promotion of health in the hospital.

“It is a pleasure to receive such a gift from your association in the interest of promoting health in the country,” Dr. Kamara said.

He stressed that the hospital was in dire need of the equipment as they were the basis of life in the hospital setting and that without them, there would be no better treatment for patients.

“The clinic was in dire need of these equipment. We have tried to provide for all of our nurses but to no avail. We therefore appreciate the move by the association in assisting us with some,” he said.

The Connaught Hospital Care Manager promised to make good use of the equipment in the interest of all.

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