The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Planning and Economic Development has been in Koidu city in an oversight tour on the construction site of an ultra-modern maternal hospital.

Chaired by Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma on Thursday, 16 May 2024, the hospital was visited by a group of parliamentarians.

The hospital which is referred to as Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) is being constructed by a Non-Governmental Organization, Partners in Health (PiH) together with the Government of Sierra Leone with a total initial investment of Twenty-Eight Million Dollars.

Once completed, the 166 bed facility will be a state-of-the-art complex prepared to serving women, children and a training centre for the next generation of health professionals in Sierra Leone.

During the committee visit, it was observed that a non-governmental organization, Build Health International, is hired by PiH to construct the facilities.

In partnership with PiH, the consulting organization is using a model that recruits unskilled locals and transform them into skilled workers to do various works including plumbing, welding, electricity, gardening amongst others.

At a meeting held at the Kono Government Hospital, the Mayor of the City, Komba M. Sam, while welcoming the MPs, expressed appreciation over the visitation of the Committee and went on to assure the committee of their commitment.

He said when the hospital is completed Kono will be the best place for access to health care.

He asked all partners to continue to support the process.

The Chairman of the Committee Hon. Peter spoke on the mandates and roles of the Committee as enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone.

The MP vehemently stated that their oversight activity is to complement government’s efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including job creation and poverty reduction.

The Chairman emphasized that the oversight is also ensuring that donor money received on behalf of the people is adequately utilized for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma said the Committee is interested to know how the work and plans of every entity, NGO’s and government alike are aligned with the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan.

The Chairman also emphasized that they were in Kono to listen and take information from community and in returns will table the report for the attention of the House for deliberations.

He assured PiH and stakeholders that they are going to address all challenges affecting the project completion.

The host Member of Parliament, Hon. Musa Fofana spoke about the composition of the Committee and its aims and objectives.

He acknowledged the effort of people towards the project and the relationship between the stakeholders and PiH in light of the construction of the hospital and service delivery.

The dynamic MP re-called the signing of the MOU between PiH and the Government for the project and Parliamentary ratification of the agreement. Hon. Fofana informed the audience that they were in Kono to oversee the construction project.

He observed that indigenous people were giving tremendous support towards the construction and he noted that the project when completed would serve as a medical hub in the West Africa sub- region.

In his presentation, the Programme Manager, Carlos Velazquez, explained the vision, mission and aim of the project.

He said the initial investment cost of the project is Twenty-Eight Million Dollars and he said they were contributing the sum of 22,500,000 and the Government was also contributing Five Million Dollars with the provision of ultra-modern equipment.

The hospital, he said, will have pipe oxygen fixed on patients bed, a garden, a 550 Kva transformer and among other facilities.

According to him, three out of the four buildings in the complex include a Birthing Center, the South Ward and North Ward and the facilities will soon be completed.

When completed, he said, the facility would render inpatient services to more than 5,000 patients annually and would create employment for over 400 workers including gardeners, plumbers, electricians, nurses, doctors, counselors, welders, pharmacists amongst others.

He went on to say the facility would have various units such as critical care, 3 operation theatres and will also serve as a hub for training, strategic excellent health center and major referral center for the country.

Earlier, the Committee Members conducted a tour on the project construction site and observed that local workers were doing a perfect construction and that the structures are standard and praised the installation of equipment.

The Committee later visited the Baroma Community where one of the largest and advanced medical stores is being constructed.

The Committee also assured PiH of their support to address the critical issues including EDSA power connectivity to the hospital to the main electricity grid.

On the overall, the Committee appreciated the project and described it as first of its kind.