Sierra Leone president, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, on Monday surprised healthcare workers at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH-Cottage) with an unannounced visit to check on the condition of the facility.
The president arrived at the hospital at 8:30am, the official report time for work, to monitor compliance by workers to report for work on time.
During his tour of the facilities, which is housing the Ola During Children’s Hospital at Fourah Bay Road in the east of Freetown, the President noticed that one of the matrons was not on her seat long after the clock-in time for all public workers. He interrogated the Doctor-in-Charge on the possible reason for her absence and asked that she be reprimanded and urgent actions be taken to enforce the recent measures for all government workers.
President Bio expressed his dissatisfaction over conditions at the hospital, saying that the facility was overcrowded and hygiene situation needed urgent attention. He commended workers who showed for work early.
“In terms of turnout for personnel, we must be happy because I met the Doctor and most of the other senior staff on time. With the exception of very few that I did not meet for which I have left warnings, we must congratulate them for their hard work. We will challenge them that everyone is in their office by 8:30am because if we want to bring change we must start it with how we manage time,” he said.
On the deplorable state of the health facilities, President Bio added that: “What I am not pleased with is that this place, where people give birth to children is not conducive. I have heard a lot about it and that is why I have decided to come and see for myself and definitely, this facility is not enough for the women who come here to deliver. I have seen it and it is now the business of government to see where we can improve and help save the lives of our compatriots,” he said.
Doctor-in-Charge, A.V Koroma said the PCMH is a national referral centre that receives over two thousand patients on a monthly basis.
He thanked the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for their support in terms of drugs to the centre. He cited challenges such as lack of beds to accommodate more patients and called on the government to assist with more beds to accommodate the growing rate of patients at the hospital.
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