Major Overhaul Looms as Five Structures at Koidu Hospital Face Demolition
Sia Lucy Kannah Five structures at Koidu Government Hospital are slated for demolition to make way for technical assessments and proposed reconstruction works, following discussions between the Ministry of Health and Partners in Health (PIH) Sierra Leone.
The proposed demolitions involve the hospital’s water tower, mosque, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) facility, oxygen plant and store. Their removal is expected to allow topographical and geotechnical surveys to be conducted ahead of the planned construction.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Chief Medical Officer Dr. med Mustapha Sundifu Kabba and a PIH delegation led by Executive Director Madam Vickey Reed at his office. The meeting also brought together the Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services, Mr. Ibrahim Foday-Musa; PIH Director of Policy and Partnership, Mr. Yembeh Marrah; and the hospital administrator.
During the discussions, participants proposed that the EPI facility be relocated and rebuilt within the District Health Management Team (DHMT) complex. They emphasised the need to maintain immunisation services throughout the process and ensure the safety of vaccines, cold-chain equipment and essential supplies.
PIH also considered temporary arrangements, including the possible use of the former paediatric facility after the department relocates to the refurbished maternity building.
The broader reconstruction plan includes a new paediatric complex, improved wastewater and potable water systems, and internal access roads aimed at strengthening the hospital’s infrastructure and service delivery.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the meeting addressed staffing shortages, attendance, accountability and hospital management. Possible staff secondments were discussed as a way to fill workforce gaps and strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. Kabba stressed that infrastructure investments must be supported by adequate staffing, effective supervision and sound management to translate into improved patient care.
The discussions also covered maternal and neonatal mortality, including preventable deaths. Hospital management outlined measures to strengthen emergency response, clinical supervision, mortality reviews and professional accountability.
Officials highlighted the deployment of a medical officer at the paediatric emergency entrance, which they said had contributed to two weeks without recorded paediatric deaths.
Dr. Kabba further emphasised coordination, accountability, prudent financial management and sustained collaboration between the Ministry of Health and its development partners. He said improvements at the hospital should result in measurable gains in healthcare quality, patient safety and health outcomes.
The Ministry and PIH agreed to continue discussions on the hospital’s infrastructure and staffing requirements, with further talks expected within the next two weeks to review possible support arrangements and determine the next steps.