The Government of Sierra Leone through financial support from Global Fund is set to begin work on the renovation of over 30  laboratories nationwide.

The renovation is seen as move to strengthen the country’s health sector with the most basic and important health services.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby said that the renovation of the six public laboratories is to assist lab technicians to properly diagnose and provide service for diseases like HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria among others.

Currently, the West African nation boasts six major public laboratories and several clinical laboratories scattered across the country which lack the necessary equipment to advanced diagnostic of diseases.

Sierra Leone has one of the worst health-system in the region after a decade civil war destroyed most of its health infrastructure. The country is at current improving its health system albeit at slower rate.

In another news, the Minister of Health has turned the sod for the construction of a Burns Unit at Connaught Hospital.

The Unit will provide medical practitioners with the necessary skill and equipment to deal with fire related cases.

Connaught Hospital is the largest public health facility in the country and has coped without a Burns Unit since its construction in the early 20th century.