By: Abdul Razack Gbla
In a significant step towards enhancing the medical infrastructure in Sierra Leone, Orange SL donated a set of desktop computers to Lumley Central Hospital on June 21, 2024. This donation, aimed at aiding the doctors and administrative team, is part of the Orange Foundation’s support for the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence at Lumley.
During the event, Dr. Francis Smart, Director of Policy Planning and Information, highlighted the importance of digital record-keeping in the healthcare sector. “We want to document the information of every baby born in Sierra Leone, from their birth to their death after they grow old. We also aim to gather the electronic medical records of every patient,” he said, emphasizing the crucial need for ICT in the medical field and commending Orange SL’s initiative.
Sekou Amadou Bah, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange SL, in his address, expressed his gratitude to the attendees and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting national development. “Donating these desktop computers is part of our belief in facilitating development across various sectors. I congratulate the hospital administration and the Ministry of Health for spearheading this significant health project. Together, we can make a difference, and I assure you that this support will not be the first or last,” he stated.
Representing the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, Dr. Mustapha Kabba lauded Orange SL for their continued support. “It is essential for a facility like this to be digitized, as the medical world has undoubtedly gone digital. The contributions of Orange SL will undoubtedly drive further support and development. The ministry has crafted a digital roadmap, and we are grateful to Orange SL for aiding this vision,” he remarked. Dr. Kabba concluded by expressing gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the government of Sierra Leone.
In addition to this donation, the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has recently handed over this state-of-the-art paediatric hospital in Lumley, valued at $16,600,000. This facility, known as the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence, aims to bolster healthcare service delivery in the country. The hospital features 166 patient beds and 46 beds for mothers in the Special Baby Care Unit. It also includes an emergency room, operation theatre, special outpatient clinic, paediatric intensive care unit, high-dependency unit, isolation unit, surgical ward, oncology special care unit, kangaroo mother care unit, and a special baby care unit.
Dr. Ayeshatu Mustapha, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks. She praised Orange SL and its CEO for their generous contribution, which she believes will significantly enhance the hospital’s operational capabilities.
This collaborative effort between Orange SL and the Government of Japan demonstrates a shared commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in Sierra Leone, providing a brighter future for the nation’s healthcare system.
