Sierra Leone News: Marie Stopes Unveils Medical Boat for Bonthe Island
By Mariama Sesay
Marie Stopes Sierra Leone has on Monday June 24, 2019, in Freetown unveiled a media boat, Marie Tim Sierra Medical Boat for Bonthe Island.
Country Director of the Marie topes Sierra Leone, Dr. Ufuoma Omom-Obi said that Bonthe Island is one of the hard to reach areas in the country, adding that the boat will ease the transport challenge encountered by their staff nurses and the entire district as a whole.
He disclosed that their nurses usually go to the Island to deliver services to communities. “This is a state-of-the-art boat,” he said. “It will be free for every patient.”
He stated that they have been working with the government and other partners in the district in ensuring that they achieve their objectives.
Mayor of Bonthe Island, His lordship Mohamed Robison said, “Today’s unveiling is a historic moment in the development of the municipality.”
His lordship said that insufficient boats in the Island have been a contributing factor for the high rate of infant and maternal mortality, adding that the boat will reduce infant mortality rate.
“It is very challenging for pregnant women to have access to medical facilities in my municipality. I will want Maries Stopes to guide us in terms of safe delivery and to guide our school going children in taking family planning,” he said.
The mayor thanked Marie Stopes, government and all the partners for supporting Bonthe Island.
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Alpha Wurie said that government is ready to work with Marie Stopes at any time to improve the health sector.
Unveiling the Marie Tim Boat, the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Ambassador Foday Yumkella expressed his appreciation for being part of the unveiling ceremony, adding that the health sector is very important to the development of the country.
District Medical Officer of Bonthe, Dr Masuba appreciated Marie Stopes and the government for their support. He assured them that they will take good care of the boat, adding that they will ensure that everybody benefit from the facilities.
