In a bid to compliment the Government of Sierra Leone’s fight against coronavirus, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently concluded the distribution of 10,000 N95 facemasks to five major hospitals in the country.
The 10,000 N95 face masks donated by the church is among the third set of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) received this year from the Church’s humanitarian department to support Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) in the fight against COVID-19.
The five hospitals include: Bo Government Hospital, the 34-military hospital, Kabala Government Hospital, Kingharman Road Maternal and Child Care hospital, and Kailahun Government Hospital. The donations were made on diverse dates between August 18, 2020 to August 31, 2020, respectively.
The Welfare and Humanitarian Manager of the Church, Kenneth Pambu said that after they received the items from the Church humanitarian Department, they held a planning meeting with the officials and Partner’s wing of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the Ministry to select hospitals across the country to benefit from the donation.
“The ministry proposed the major referral hospitals in Sierra Leone. But considering accessibility and travel time, we agreed to limit our distribution to five major facilities selected from amongst the list of hospitals,” he said.
He disclosed that 2,000 N95 face masks were distributed to each of the five hospitals, adding that the entire distribution exercise lasted for about two weeks including travel time. “It was very challenging for us to travel in a heavy downpour of rain and protect the items on some muddy areas,” he said. He emphasized the challenges of long travels to all the five hospitals.
The matron of the Bo Government hospital Esther K Jabbie said, “this help could not have come at a better time than this as Bo facilities, our nurses, cleaners and medical doctors, especially patient from poor community who cannot afford a common clean face mask were all in dying need of face mask.”
The Matron acknowledged receipt of the donated item, and thanked the Church for the donation.
The Welfare and Humanitarian Manager of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kenneth Pambu giving the donation to the 2nd in command of 34 Military Hospital, Connell HS Kamara
Chairman of Kailahun District Council, Keke Sahr Lamin, thanked the Church for it developmental strides in the district and the country, notably the school building projects, and the neonatal training and support in the districts.
The medical superintendent of the Kailahun District Hospital, Francis Lansana, said that the humanitarian efforts by the church over the years in deprived communities portray a Christlike attribute and care for others. He noted that based on the collective effort particularly from a religious body, he is guaranteed that the fight against COVID-19 is assured to be successful.
In addition, the Secretary of Kabala Government Hospital, Samie Sumura
thanked the church for the mere thought of considering their facility, considering its location and distance covered to reach them. “Throughout this COVID, there have been a lot of outcries for support,” he said. He thanked the Church for its show of love and kindness.
The item presented were received by the 2nd in command Colonel H.S. Kamara who sincerely showed appreciation to the church, and applauded its continuous support.
Receiving the donation, the 2nd in command at the 34 Military Hospital, Colonel H.S. Kamara said, ‘’I have known this church over the years for such good gestures all over poor communities, and have known some members. Please extend our love and thank to all who contributed towards this donation.”
The officer in charge said that the news of this donation will get to other commanding officers and its will be used for its intended purpose.
In his Letter of Acknowledgement, the Medical Superintendent of Bo Government Hospital, Dr. Augustine E. Fomba thanked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Sierra Leone for the teamwork with the Bo Government Hospital.
He added, “It will be remiss on our part if we fail to thank you for the recent donations that we received in the face masks. We received a total 2000 pieces of N95. We look forward to more future collaboration between your team and the Bo Government Hospital.”
In an appreciation letter, the Hospital Secretary of Kingharman hospital, Tejan B. Bayoh thanked the Church for its tremendous contributions towards the hospital this year, adding that the donation came at the appropriate time when staff and patients are in dire need of more face mask and it will be judiciously utilize for it intended purpose.
By Stephen V. Lansana
04/09/2020. ISSUE NO: 7902