In a major boost to Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector, ChildFund, in partnership with MAP International, has donated $25 million worth of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS).

The donation, which coincided with the observance of World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2024, took place at the Youyi Building car park under the theme “Diabetes and Well-being.”

The event began with an overview of the diabetes situation in Sierra Leone, delivered by Dr. Santigie Sesay, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health. Dr. Sesay highlighted the growing prevalence of diabetes in the country and emphasized the need for nationwide awareness and preventive measures to combat the disease.

MAP International, a global health organization, facilitated the acquisition of essential medicines and health supplies, including diabetes medication, from its corporate partners. The supplies were then shipped to Sierra Leone, where the Ministry of Health will oversee their distribution to hospitals and health facilities across the country. ChildFund has committed to supporting the transportation of these supplies to all 16 districts, ensuring they reach the communities most in need.

During the handover ceremony, ChildFund’s Programs and Sponsorship Director expressed gratitude to MAP International for its partnership and underscored ChildFund’s commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system. The donation, the largest in ChildFund Sierra Leone’s history, includes 45,000 units of Sitagliptin (Januvia), a critical medication for diabetes management, as well as nitrile gloves, hydration solutions, and protective goggles. These supplies will play a key role in addressing the growing number of diabetes cases while ensuring healthcare workers have the resources to protect themselves and their patients.

The Programs and Sponsorship Director emphasized ChildFund’s global mission to improve the lives of vulnerable children and their communities. He reiterated the organization’s commitment to public health and its continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure access to quality healthcare for all, particularly children affected by diabetes.

Victor Kamara, Country Director of ChildFund Sierra Leone, highlighted the critical importance of this donation in managing diabetes, especially for children and their families. He noted that diabetes not only affects patients physically but also has emotional and financial impacts on families, particularly when parents or children suffer from the disease. Kamara expressed hope that the donation would ease these burdens and help improve community health.

Isam Ghanim, President and CEO of ChildFund International, praised the partnership with MAP International and the Sierra Leonean government. He noted that the historic donation of medical supplies would have a lasting and meaningful impact on public health, strengthening families and communities across the country.

In his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Health 1, Professor Dr. Charles Senessie, expressed gratitude on behalf of President Bio and the Ministry of Health. He stressed that diabetes is a major concern for the ministry, and partnerships like the one with ChildFund and MAP International are essential in tackling the disease. Dr. Senessie also connected this year’s World Diabetes Day theme, “Diabetes and Well-being,” to the ministry’s broader goal of ensuring the well-being of all citizens, particularly those living with diabetes.

He further emphasized the importance of a comprehensive healthcare response that reaches every corner of the country, bringing essential services directly to the people. Dr. Senessie concluded by highlighting the role of information in increasing awareness about diabetes, which he said would empower individuals and improve survival rates.

ChildFund’s Director, Madam Isatu Venn, expressed her excitement at being part of one of the largest donations in the organization’s history. She reiterated ChildFund’s mission to empower children and ensure that their voices guide the organization’s work. Venn noted that the donation was a testament to ChildFund’s commitment to improving public health, especially for children and families affected by diabetes. She also stressed that the supplies would benefit not only patients but also healthcare workers, helping them provide better care.

The event concluded with a formal handover of the supplies to the Deputy Minister of Health, followed by group photographs. The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation to ChildFund and MAP International and called on other partners to follow their example in supporting Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.