By Josephine W. Lagawo in Freetown
232News
Director of Health and Security at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi stated that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation spent Le 12.7B (NLe 12.7M) on 54 patients who sought medical treatment oversees, which in his words were approved by state house.
He made this statement last Thursday September 22nd while they were presenting the 2023 budget to officials of the Ministry of Finance, Civil Society and the media at Treasury Building Conference Room at George Street in Freetown.
He explained their challenges wherein they have gone about three months as a ministry without electricity supply, pointing out that the ministry is finding it difficult to buy drugs and equipment.
He revealed that they undertake projects like the rehabilitation of hospitals and about 30% advance payment are made to contractors before the work starts.
Dr. Vandi further highlighted that there are districts which do not have Ophthalmology dentistry of ear, Nose and throat such as Moyamba and Port Loko.
According to him, they secured 319 hectares of Land at Kerry Town and that they need to protect that land, if not law suit will be filed against them and they would have to lose the land.
He appealed to the Ministry of Finance to provide them with funds so that they will build warehouses to keep the drugs.
He explained that the ministry normally holds post graduate training for 50 doctors but after the training the doctors left for greener pastures, noting that, the ministry needs to put things in place to maintain these doctors.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sartie Kanneh stated that the free health care is not sustainable and that they need US$ 24m to procure drugs.
Samuel EB. Momoh Senior Deputy Financial Secretary said they should minimize people seeking overseas medical attention and as such they need to sit down with the Ministry of Health to map out plans.
Dr Vandi explained that they are paying US$ 500 to rent a ware house which is not fit to keep drugs, appealing to Ministry of Finance for money to build their own store. Dr Vandi presented Le 99m new Leones for their 2023 budget.
