Residents and key stakeholders gathered at Kenema Government Hospital on Saturday, April 11th, to witness a historic milestone in Sierra Leone’s healthcare development. The event saw the official handingover of a state-of-the-art CT scan, with 64 slides imaging capabilities, a staff bus, and a new utility vehicle to the management of the government hospital. Coming on the heels of President Bio’s earlier commissioning of an advanced CT Scan machine with 128 slides, and a burns unit at Connaught Hospital, the occasion in Kenema highlights a renewed focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to save lives and improve overall health outcomes nationwide.
The new CT Scans use medical imaging technology and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body’s internal structures. It functions by rotating an X-ray machine around the patient to capture multiple images from different angles, which are then assembled by a computer to produce precise 3D images of organs, bones, blood vessels, and tissues. This detailed images help healthcare professionals diagnose and monitor various medical conditions, detect injuries, guide surgical procedures, and plan treatments accurately, making them essential tools for modern medical diagnosis.
In his keynote address and handing over of the machines to the Kenema Government Hospital management, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, expressed immense pride and a strong personal connection to the milestone. “I was born here at Kenema Government Hospital,” he revealed. “Today is a special day for me and for Sierra Leone. I vividly remember visiting this hospital as a child, and now I see it equipped with the latest technology that will save countless lives.”
Dr. Demby reflected on the challenges faced prior to acquiring such advanced equipment, noting that many lives were lost due to the absence of basic medical necessities like oxygen. “This is a turning point. We are changing the trajectory of healthcare in Kenema and beyond,” he emphasized.
The Minister also presented a new staff bus and a utility vehicle meant to convey health workers to and from work. Dr. Demby praised Sierra Leone’s skilled health workforce, urging them to uphold empathy, professionalism, and compassion. “Our doctors and nurses are the backbone of healthcare. They must treat every patient with love and dignity. That is why these new vehicles and equipment will empower them to deliver effective services and do more accurate diagnoses and provide better treatment,” he stated.
Dr. Demby reaffirmed President Bio’s commitment and vision of a future with zero preventable maternal and child deaths, calling for continued community engagement and dedicated service delivery to achieve this goal. As Kenema Hospital embraces this new era of medical excellence, the message is clear: the Government is dedicated to providing quality healthcare for all its citizens. With advanced technology, committed health workers, and community backing, the nation is steadily advancing toward a healthier, more resilient future.