Cottage Hospital Receives Upgraded 10-Bed Ward to Improve Maternal, Newborn Care
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), also known as Cottage Hospital in Freetown, has officially received a newly rehabilitated and fully equipped 10-bed Ward 3 following a handover ceremony led by the Sierra Leone Fellowship of Walworth Methodist Church in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with hospital authorities and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
The upgraded ward, which serves as a postnatal unit for mothers and newborns, was refurbished as part of the Fellowship’s support to improve maternal and newborn healthcare services at Sierra Leone’s main referral maternity facility.
The renovation included masonry and structural repairs, electrical upgrades, improved lighting, ceiling works, painting, and general refurbishment, along with the provision of beds and mosquito nets.
Speaking during the ceremony, Senior Matron Deen expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that the improved ward environment would enhance comfort and care for mothers in the critical days following childbirth.
She emphasised the importance of the facility within national maternal health efforts and commended the contribution toward improving working and recovery conditions for both patients and staff.
Representing the Sierra Leone Fellowship Walworth Methodist Church UK, Rev. Kurtis George said the project was initiated following engagement with PCMH management in early 2026.
He described the initiative as a practical expression of the Fellowship’s commitment to maternal and newborn wellbeing, stressing that the renovation was intended not only to improve infrastructure but also to restore dignity and comfort to patients. He added that the group remains open to continued collaboration with the hospital.
PCMH Medical Superintendent, Dr. Amadu Sesay, described the handover as a significant milestone and praised the partnership between the hospital, the Ministry, and the Fellowship.
He said the renovated ward reflects a shared commitment to strengthening maternal healthcare delivery and expressed optimism about future support for broader improvements at the facility.
In her keynote address, Deputy Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer II, Matron Christiana Squire, commended the Fellowship for supporting government efforts in improving health infrastructure.
She highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing maternal and newborn health outcomes and noted that healthcare workers also benefit from improved and safer working environments.
Ward 3 In-Charge, Nurse Magret Torto, thanked all stakeholders involved, describing the renovation as a direct transformation of the unit that has improved cleanliness, comfort, and dignity for patients and staff.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a letter of appreciation and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, formally marking the handover of the rehabilitated ward to PCMH management.