…As he opens new health clinic
April 13, 2016 By Jariatu S. Bangura
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone has assured Members of Parliament that China would provide more support to the new health clinic at Parliament, as part of efforts to improve the health sector in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the clinic at Parliament building yesterday, Ambassador Zhao Yanbo underscored that “Parliament is playing a unique and indispensable role in its political life, it is very important for it be our concern and even its staff, therefore China will continue to give its support as an obligation in improving on the health sector.”
Ambassador Yanbo noted that they would always feel proud to help the country in her quest to improve the health sector, human resource capacity, adding that the clinic in Parliament would help lawmakers deal with stress from dealing with their respective constituents.
He said the facility would help minimise sickness among Sierra Leoneans, including lawmakers, adding that since his arrival in the country China had provided lot of support to improving the health sector, not least during the Ebola outbreak as they were the first to bring support to fight the deadly disease, followed by others in the international community.
He revealed that within a fortnight Chinese doctors would arrive in the country to check on health facilities under their control and train local doctors and nurses.
Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Sheku B.B. Dumbuya, commended that Chinese government for their support to the country, especially during the Ebola outbreak.
‘’Good health is the basis of all moral aspect and we cannot be of service to our people, the country and ourselves if we are not well. That is why good health is very essential. Health is the soul that animates all enjoyment of life. The maintenance of good health should not be over emphasised. We want you to also help us with testing machine of our health status as most time we cannot ascertain if we are positive of malaria or typhoid because the country does not have such facility,” he said.
He noted that China was an eternal friend of Sierra Leone which has helped the country on numerous occasions.
Earlier, the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Sesay said the purpose of the new facility was serve MPs and parliamentary staff during emergencies and as first aid care before they are transferred to a referral hospital.
“On numerous occasions MPs have got attacked by certain illness and by the time they are rushed to bigger hospitals the situation got worse, which we do not want to occur again,” he said.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Abubakarr Fofanah, commended Parliament for the initiative, adding that the facility would minimise the burden of his ministry to provide a similar one for member and staff.
He said his ministry would support the facility with needed equipment.
Chairman of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Hon. Abdulai Sesay, commended the Chinese government and the Ministry of Health for providing funds and equipment to setting up of the clinic for lawmakers and parliamentary staff.