Friday afternoon, marked a significant milestone for healthcare delivery in Kono District as the Honourable Vice President joined the leadership of the Ministry of Health to officially hand over a brand-new 55-seater staff bus and a utility Land Cruiser vehicle to Koidu Government Hospital. The Ministry’s delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Charles Senesie, and the event brought together key stakeholders including the Minister of Local Government, Paramount Chiefs, the Mayor of Kono City Council, the District Council Chairman, Members of Parliament, the District Medical Officer, and representatives from Partners In Health.
Chairing the ceremony, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sattie Kanneh, highlighted the remarkable transformation within the health sector driven by the leadership of His Excellency, the President, and the Ministry of Health. He emphasized that the “300 Days of Activism” aligns with the Ministry’s vision to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero child deaths, and zero missed vaccinations. He described the provision of transportation for healthcare workers as a critical intervention that reflects leadership’s commitment to improving service delivery and staff welfare across the country.
Providing an overview of the initiative, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer – Clinical Services, Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, noted that the government has procured 10 buses for healthcare workers nationwide, five allocated to Freetown and five to the provinces, with Kono receiving the largest provincial bus. He explained that systems are being developed to ensure sustainability, including maintenance structures, spare parts provision, and operational guidelines such as staff registration systems. He stressed that the initiative is designed to enhance safety, accessibility, and efficiency for healthcare workers while acknowledging that this is only the beginning of a broader effort to address transportation challenges across districts.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Charles Senesie, expressed appreciation to the Honourable Vice President for initiating the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthcare workers faced severe transportation challenges during curfews. He noted that the provision of buses will significantly reduce the risks of accidents among healthcare workers and improve their ability to report for duty on time. He also commended Partners In Health and other stakeholders for their continued support in strengthening healthcare services in Kono District.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, reflected on the origins of the initiative, citing firsthand observations of healthcare workers commuting under difficult conditions, especially during the rainy season and the COVID-19 period. He emphasized his personal connection to Kono, describing the hospital as special to him, and urged staff to take proper care of the vehicles to ensure long-term sustainability. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ivan Wurie, who expressed deep appreciation and assured leadership that the vehicles would be well maintained, and the Vice President made a tour to the newly built Maternal Centre of Excellence. This intervention underscores Government’s commitment to improving working conditions for healthcare workers and strengthening service delivery across Sierra Leone.
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