Sierra Leone: Medical
Overall Health Status
Infant mortality is high – 208/1000 compared with 8/1000 in USA – and life expectancy is only 37. Due to the nine- year civil war polio vaccinations were interrupted and many children contracted the disease. Also many were severely wounded from the war as soldiers cut off people’s limbs.
Waterloo Hospital
Waterloo hospital, about 15 miles from Freetown, is a self-supported nonprofit nongovernmental organization providing the poor with medical and surgical assistance. The hospital opened in 2000 after the civil war, during which rebels destroyed the existing hospital. It serves an area of 250,000 people with no other medical facilities. Patients pay according to ability. Many are treated freely.
Dr Elmer Ribeyro, from Peru, treated 6,500 outpatients, undertook 10,000-laboratory tests and performed 1,400 surgeries in 2004 alone-all this against impossible odds…no running water, sewage treatment or adequate accommodation for the patients.
In 2004, ministries partnered with the hospital to fund a well to provide clean running water, install a septic tank for sewage and build an extension to the ward. Fifty local tradesmen were employed in the construction, which meant an income and support for local families as well.
Currently the hospital is unable to meet the pressing need of the population, and many are turned away or have long waits for urgent treatment. To meet this need, hospital staff look to extend the accommodations with a second storey to the ward, and a new outpatient building as well as continuing the improvement of clean water, sanitation and electricity to the existing facilities. A security wall is also needed to the compound. Sharing International is proud to be a partner with the hospital in helping them to meet these basic needs of the community.
The Polio Women and Girls Development Association
Project Description Handout: Click here
In 2004 a partnership was formed with the ladies to help them develop and improve their facilities. A kitchen was constructed, a workshop was equipped with sewing machines to enable them to make clothes to wear and to sell. Improvements to drainage and sanitary conveniences have promoted good health and hygiene.
The current project is to provide accommodation for up to 50 women and children which is permanent, sound and clean, with clean water, sanitation and electricity.
The ladies are indomitable, their spirit is irrepressible and they are doing a great work among the women and girls suffering from this terrible disease. In addition to providing employment, and income and food they provide hope and dignity.
Sharing International is proud to be a partner in helping them to help one another meet these basic needs.