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A Russian humanitarian medical delegation has begun a three-day free medical outreach at the Bonthe Government Hospital, delivering a major boost to healthcare access for residents of Bonthe Municipality and surrounding communities. The initiative aims to expand essential medical services in one of Sierra Leone’s most geographically isolated districts.
The outreach, facilitated through the Ministry of Health, brings together specialists in surgery, gynecology, dentistry, midwifery, and clinical care, who will both treat patients and provide hands-on training for local hospital staff.
Welcoming the visiting team, Dr. Mohamed D. Sowa, Medical Superintendent of Bonthe Government Hospital, expressed deep appreciation for the support, noting that the hospital is now better positioned to collaborate effectively thanks to strengthened infrastructure, including round-the-clock electricity and a consistent water supply. He said the partnership represents “a timely opportunity to enhance service delivery and build staff capacity.”
His Worship Mayor Mohamed Robinson commended the team’s decision to prioritize Bonthe, emphasizing that the municipality and its residents stand to benefit greatly from the intervention. He appealed for the delegation to leave behind some of the medical equipment to sustain service improvements, assuring that the assets would be well maintained.
District Medical Officer Dr. Borbson Sesay thanked the Ministry of Health for coordinating the mission and underscored the importance of such collaborations in helping rural districts overcome persistent healthcare gaps.
Leading the Russian delegation, the Russian Ambassador to Sierra Leone said Bonthe was deliberately selected because of its hard-to-reach status and long-standing need for specialized medical support. He confirmed that the team would provide joint clinical sessions and practical training for Bonthe hospital staff throughout the visit. While acknowledging the district’s complex geography, which may limit access for some residents, he reaffirmed the team’s commitment to covering as many communities as possible.
The team’s Midwife Lead praised the high standards of cleanliness in both the hospital and the wider municipality, describing Bonthe as “one of the cleanest environments we have encountered.” She confirmed that patient screening began immediately upon arrival and will continue throughout the mission, alongside live procedural training for local health workers.
The three-day outreach is expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen local capacity, and bring much-needed specialty services closer to underserved populations in Bonthe District.
