By Francis Kamara
The Embassy of Japan in Sierra Leone through the IOM has on Wednesday 25th May, 2022, donated an ambulance and other medical equipment to the health clinic at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi.
The used ambulance vehicle, five used medical beds, one thermo camera, five wheelchairs, five non-contact thermometers, and infection prevention and control materials are expected to benefit about 800 users of the Lungi airport annually and also about 2,700 people in the neighborhood.
Due to a lack of adequate medical equipment, the airport clinic has not been able to fully respond to the needs of the community residents and the airport users, as patients are often transferred to other clinics and hospitals to receive basic medical care.
The representative of the Sierra Leone Airports Authority affirmed that it is indeed a laudable venture by the Japanese embassy in Sierra Leone. He highlighted that this move will benefit the people of Sierra Leone greatly as it will also boost the standards of the Freetown International Airport. He went on to say that a little over a year ago when the initiative started, the presentation of the proposal emphasized that procurement protocols and procedures must be followed to the letter in order to attract the approval of the benefactors in carrying out the project.
He concluded that the medical equipment will be used for the intended purpose to enhance the medical security of the Freetown International Airport in order for it to meet the international standards.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the embassy of Japan, Mitori Naoki, expressed his profound thanks and appreciation for a lovely reception. He added that he is pleased to join the Sierra Leonean community in such an important event. He went on to say that the government of Japan through research assistants have funded many projects in Sierra Leone and assured that the good humanitarian gesture will continue.
He continued that as the Japanese government has handed over the medical equipment to the Lungi Airport health clinic, he urged them to use the medical equipment for the right purpose and maintain them at all cost – as that will strengthen the bond between the two nations and pave the way for more donations.
Chairman for the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority health clinic, Dr. Alusine Yilla asserted that they as regulators have acknowledged that the ambulance and other medical equipment is meant for the airport clinic and the move was mainly facilitated by the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority by approaching the IOM – this is a clear manifestation that the regulators are much more interested in positive development and they are always ready to support.
He urged the Lungi Airport health clinic to use the ambulance and other medical equipment for the intended purpose as that will attract more investment and donors.
The representative of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Wurie, affirmed that the Lungi airport clinic owned no ambulance vehicle and patients are moving to another medical facility by regular vehicles, which adds a physical burden.
He went on to say that due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, health-related concerns at the airport are rising, and tit is necessary for the clinic to be better equipped in order to sufficiently operate.
