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Residents of Kroobay, Freetown have urged the Government to upgrade their community health centre considering the growing population, amidst fears of the spread of waterborne diseases, especially during the rainy season.
In an interview with Sierraeye, Kroobay community chief, Pa Alimamy Marouf Conteh, expressed gratitude to the government for the existing
health facility but stated:“
The community is experiencing an increase in population and an upsurge in diseases, such as malaria, flu, dysentery and other waterborne illnesses,” the Chief said.
Worried over the growing population, Pa Alimamy noted that as against
the last census result for Kroobay community, which was estimated 22,000 populations, the current population has exceedingly increased.
Conteh recalled the complaints from the residents and nurses about the lack of supplies at the health centre, urging the government to heed their
concerns, as their community is most vulnerable.
According to Conteh, there is an urgent need for additional medical supplies
and equipment that demand the elevation of their health centre into a
hospital.
He also appealed to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and philanthropists for assistance, in response to the dire condition of the
present health facility. “A good number of residents have donated medicines to help so that the health centre does not run out of medical drugs,” he said.
Abubakarr Kamara, a resident of Kroobay, however spoke warmly of the relevance of the health facility, despite pressing concerns over the shortage of drugs in the hospital. He advocated for the construction of a vocational-training institute to support the youths in different walks of life.
A resident who wanted not to be named acknowledged the benefits people have derived as a result of the health centre, particularly pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, who needed better health care more than anyone else and stressed the urgent need for a better and bigger health facility.
Marion Sesay, a petty trader, praised the government, especially in providing free treatment to children between 0 and 5 years and also joined the other callers for an improved health facility.
Kroobay is a coastal slum community in the heart of the capital, Freetown, close to the business district.
