By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
Residents of the Asker Amputee Camp in Makeni City, including various war victims, are rejoicing over the inauguration of the Makeni Medical Mission health facility, established by philanthropist, author, and pastor Mr. Bambay Sawaneh, alongside his partners in the United States.
This newly launched medical facility, comprising 11 treatment rooms, was developed with the support of Southeastern Medical International (SMI) and the Concord Christian Church.
Their mission is to deliver compassionate healthcare and a range of medical services to the people of Bombali District and surrounding areas, with a particular focus on war victims and vulnerable families living in the Asker Amputee Camp at Robureh.
At the official opening ceremony in Makeni city, a team of 10 medical missionaries from Southeastern Medical International, including Sheila Yates, a seasoned medical missionary with two decades of experience in the US, provided free medical care to 100 individuals, primarily those affected by the Sierra Leone civil war and their family members.
Each patient received high-quality medications at no cost, courtesy of the team of ten SMI medical missionaries.
According to Nurse Yates, the patients seen on that day underwent screenings for a range of ailments, including headaches, body aches, malaria, fever, the common cold, and various infections.
"As medical missionaries and messengers of God, we also took the opportunity to share the teachings of Christ and the word of God with the patients, who were exceptionally warm and welcoming," she added, reflecting on her first visit to Sierra Leone as a truly remarkable experience.
One patient, 58-year-old Ya. Salamatu Turay, a widow whose husband was brutally killed during the Sierra Leone civil conflict, shared her experience with Awoko Newspaper. After receiving free treatment, she expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and medications she received, such as pain relievers and cold tablets.
On behalf of the other beneficiaries, she thanked the US team for their support in building the clinic and hailed its opening as a realization of a long-held dream. Salamatu emphasized that this facility will spare them the arduous six-mile trek to access medical services at the Makeni Regional Hospital in Makama.
Her sentiments were echoed by other patients, who urged additional support from philanthropists, the Sierra Leone government, and their partners for the Asker Amputee Camp. They lamented that since their repatriation in 2006 by the late former President Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba through the NaSCA, successive governments have neglected them and have yet to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) regarding their plight.
David Fant, representing Concord Church and leading the SMI missionary team, expressed his fulfillment upon witnessing the joy of the residents at the Asker Amputee Camp in Robureh and various areas in Bombali District.
He emphasized the significance of establishing the Makeni Medical Mission Health Clinic, a facility he believes will enhance healthcare access and provide affordable services for the people of Sierra Leone in the near future.
Remembering his visit to the Asker Amputee Camp a year ago, Mr. Fant recounted a request from Pastor Bambay Sawaneh, a philanthropist and author of the renowned book "Under the Mango Tree," which recounts his harrowing experiences during the Sierra Leone civil war when rebels attacked his village and amputated his hands, to construct a medical facility at the camp.
"This day fills my heart with joy, knowing that I have been able to rally fellow Christians in the U.S., particularly the SMI, to support the creation of this health clinic, which will serve the people of Sierra Leone for many years to come," Fant stated.
Mr. Fant also pledged ongoing support for the clinic's operations and urged the community to embrace the Makeni Medical Mission Health Facility as their own.
In his closing remarks on the inaugural day of public operations at the Makeni Medical Mission health facility, Pastor Samuel Menyongar, the International Director of the International Missionary Center Africa, reassured patients that free medical services will remain available at the center until the supply of free medications, provided by the SMI team, runs out.
He revealed that the clinic will implement a nominal fee for services to maintain its operations, says "this facility is set to create job opportunities for over 10 qualified medical nurses, along with a Community Health Officer (CHO)."
Certainly, the newly launched Makeni Medical Mission health facility is poised to not only augment the government's initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems across the country, particularly in the provinces, but also to provide affordable care to those affected by Sierra Leone civil war.
This effort aligns with the vital recommendations 248 and 249 from the TRC report, which call on "current and future governments to establish infrastructure and ensure the delivery of health, education, justice, and security services in all provinces."
Furthermore, it plays a key role in the ongoing process of improving healthcare, access to clean water, reliable electricity, and essential services for the people of Sierra Leone.
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