The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has handed over a state-of-the-art pediatric hospital worth $16.6 million to support President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to improving healthcare service delivery in Sierra Leone. The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio Pediatric Centre of Excellence has a bed capacity of 166 for patients and 46 for mothers in the Special Baby Care Unit. It includes an emergency room, an operation theatre, a special outpatient clinic, a pediatric intensive care unit, a high-dependency unit, an isolation unit, a surgical ward, an oncology special care unit, a kangaroo mother care unit, and a special baby care unit.
Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha confirmed that the newly commissioned hospital is one of the best in the sub-region in terms of equipment, facilities, and bed capacity. She added that the Ola During Hospital had 160 beds for millions of children accessing it, which prompted President Bio to seek assistance from Japan for constructing the Pediatric Centre of Excellence.
Member of Parliament for Constituency 132 and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Tawa Conteh stated that the construction was made possible by compensating thousands of squatters who occupied government property. He thanked the people of Lumley for monitoring the project and believing in President Bio's government.
JICA Chief Representative in Sierra Leone Madam Suzuki Momoko described the ceremony as memorable and confirmed that the hospital is well-equipped with modern medical equipment to improve healthcare quality for children in Sierra Leone.
Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby thanked President Bio for his visionary leadership and commitment to achieving universal health coverage where no one would be left behind.
President Julius Maada Bio highlighted this achievement as another milestone in human capital development for Sierra Leoneans. He noted that this initiative stemmed from addressing high infant mortality rates and overcrowding at Ola During Hospital six years ago. The President expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government and JICA for their timely completion of the project and acknowledged the Ministry of Health and Ola During Hospital's dedication to saving lives.
For more inquiries: State House Media and Communications Unit info@statehouse.gov.sl
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