The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio alongside the Director of the Division for Africa in the Technical Cooperation Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Professor Shawkat Abdul Razak (IAEA) recently conducted a joint inspection of the state-of-the-art 600-bed hospital located at the 34 Military Hospital complex in Freetown.
This hospital, a landmark achievement in Sierra Leoneโs healthcare infrastructure, represents a significant step toward improving healthcare access and quality in the country.
With its advanced medical technology and well-equipped facilities, the hospital is expected to enhance the capacity to provide high-quality medical care to not only Sierra Leoneans but other nationals as well.
During the visit, Dr. Fatima Bio highlighted the importance of the hospital in bolstering Sierra Leoneโs healthcare resilience.
Dr Fatima emphasized that the facility would not only address pressing health needs within the nation but also serve as a model for similar developments across the African continent.
The First Lady, a staunch advocate for womenโs and childrenโs health, reiterated her commitment to supporting projects that strengthen healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations. She expressed her hope that the hospitalโs advanced infrastructure would help bridge the healthcare gap, ensuring that more Sierra Leoneans receive timely and effective treatment.
The Director of the Division for Africa in the Technical Cooperation Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) underscored the agencyโs interest in supporting Sierra Leoneโs medical advancements, particularly in areas such as radiology and nuclear medicine.
The collaboration between the IAEA and Sierra Leone aims to harness nuclear science to improve diagnostics and treatment options for complex diseases, including cancer.
Professor Shawkat Abdul Razak, the Director of the Division for Africa in the Technical Cooperation Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) praised the hospital’s facilities and technology, which align with global standards, adding that this progress would be beneficial for the broader West African region by fostering greater self-sufficiency in healthcare.
The inspection culminated in a discussion on future partnerships between the Sierra Leonean Government and international organizations like the IAEA. Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio and Professor Shawkat Abdul Razak, agreed on the importance of continued investment in healthcare, including training for local medical professionals to operate advanced technologies. Both parties emphasized that this facility is a testament to the countryโs commitment to achieving better health outcomes, in line with global health initiatives. With such partnerships, Sierra Leoneโs new hospital has the potential to set a benchmark for medical excellence in West Africa.
