Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Commissions Cold Chain Facility and Ambulance Services in Bonthe District to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery
The President, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, officially inaugurated the cold chain facility for the Punt District Health Management Team and launched the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) program as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services major move. These initiatives are part of the government’s quality basic health services and system support programme.
President Bio expressed his gratitude to the health sector management team and donor partners for their collaborative efforts in advancing healthcare. He stressed that the cold chain facility will play a key role in supporting healthcare services in Punt and serve as a model for replication in other parts of the country. The President highlighted Sierra Leone’s outstanding immunization record, which is recognized globally, and attributed this achievement to infrastructure investments such as cold chain facilities and the dedication of health care workers who ensure that every child in the country is vaccinated in a timely manner.
The President stressed the importance of equitable health care and said, “Throughout our lifetime, we need well-structured health care services that meet our needs regardless of region, tribal affiliation, color, or gender.” He commended the Ministry of Health dedicated the facility and stressed that the newly launched ambulance service will reduce emergency response times, facilitate timely referrals and ultimately save more lives.
Dr. Songor Koedoyoma, Acting Chief Executive Officer of NEMS, briefed the President on the organization’s commitment to ensuring that its services are reliable and trustworthy. He announced the deployment of 14 new, fully equipped ambulances in five districts. Fueled and staffed by medical personnel, these ambulances are designed to significantly reduce response times while minimizing downtime through effective maintenance practices.
EPI Project Manager Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai expressed appreciation for the government’s ongoing immunization efforts, revealing that the national coverage rate has reached 95% in recent years. He stressed the importance of cold chain facilities in expanding vaccine storage capacity and preventing stock-outs, ensuring vaccines are kept at optimal temperatures for distribution to health facilities.
Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby commended President Bio for his visionary leadership in transforming the healthcare industry. He pointed out that in the past five years, the national immunization rate has exceeded 90%, the maternal mortality rate has dropped significantly, and the infant mortality rate has dropped by 30%. He assured that the new facility will contribute towards achieving the national goal of zero preventable maternal and child deaths.
Apart from healthcare initiatives, President Bio also paid a working visit to various ongoing projects in the region. These included a construction site for a government training college, a bridge and boarding facilities for Matruh nurses, allowing him to directly assess progress.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
