The Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) opens a newly renovated outpatient and emergency unit to tackle the high child mortality rate.

The landmark event hosted representatives from Doctors With Africa (CUAMM) in the unveiling of the state-of-the-art outpatient and emergency units.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, in his remarks, said that the rehabilitated units came as a commitment to drastically reduce the maternal mortality rate across the country and strengthen optimal patient care. He mentioned that the PCMH Hospital delivers over nine thousand babies every year and has over fourteen thousand outpatients visit annually, adding that it is the busiest and largest facility in the country.

Demby credited this significant reduction to the Ministry’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare and President Bio’s vision of achieving zero maternal deaths in the country. He shared the government’s goal of eliminating preventable deaths at the facility.

The newly upgraded hospital is now equipped with patient monitors, defibrillators, additional beds, and expanded space to accommodate more patients.

He stated that in partnership with CUAMM, the newly renovated facilities would continue to deliver free, quality service to ensure patient safety. “PCMH Hospital is safe for both pregnant women and their babies,” he said.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Amadu Sesay highlighted that while PCMH has long served the healthcare needs of the community, its previous infrastructure was inadequate. With over 14,000 outpatient visits annually, the hospital faced challenges such as limited space for patient care and staff movement, a shortage of beds, inadequate equipment, and poor ventilation.

According to Dr. Sesay, the new facility has created a conducive environment that enhances patient privacy and the quality of care. “This improvement is a testament to strong partnerships and collaborative efforts,” he stated.

Don Dante Carraro, Director of CUAMM in Italy, spoke at the event about the importance of continued collaboration to achieve zero preventable maternal deaths in Sierra Leone and the significance of quality care for patients.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba thanked the PCMH staff for their dedication and recognized CUAMM for its support, including training and technical assistance to the health sector. He noted that PCMH serves as the primary referral hospital in the country for gynaecology and acknowledged the facility’s challenges.

Dr. Kabba expressed excitement over the renovation, highlighting that it represents not only an upgrade in infrastructure but also a shift in patient perceptions of the hospital. “This project is about creating a new mindset regarding the quality of care provided here,” he concluded.