Who Donates to Health Ministry

Concord Times (Freetown)

Ben Turay

30 May 2011

Freetown — The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated about U$404,000 medical equipment to the ministry of Health and Sanitation.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held yesterday at the WHO office in Freetown, Dr. Wondimagegnelu Alemu, WHO country representative, said the donation was to support reproductive health in the country and more especially the free health care initiative that was launched by President Ernest Bai Koroma on April 27, 2010.

He said the free health care has reached its first anniversary. “Safe blood services are essential in ensuring maternal and child health. WHO has supported the refurbishment of two regional blood centres in Bo and Kenema as we contribute to support this initiative,” Dr. Alemu disclosed.

Items donated include blood donor chairs with castors, kidney dishes, scissors, biological microscope standard set, 4 Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps, 2 Toyota Land Cruiser pick-up vans, 10 Honda motorcycles XR125L and office chairs, among others.

“I have the honour on behalf of the director general of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan and the regional director of WHO Africa, Dr. Louis Sambo to hand over several blood transfusion items to support the ministry of Health and Sanitation,” Dr. Alemu noted.

In his remarks, deputy chief medical officer in the Health ministry, Dr. Alhassan Seisay, thanked WHO for their contribution to his ministry and promised that the items would meet the targeted beneficiaries.

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