The Directorate of Health Security and Emergency (DHSE), in the Ministry of Health have received equipment’s for the establishment of 117 desks in Kabala and Karene district respectively.
The equipment handed over includes, Dell laptop, computer equipment, 55 inches smart TV, electrical extensions, HP office printer, 2 in 1 workstations, office chairs and cables. The handing over ceremony took place at the DHSE conference room Wilkinson Road west of Freetown.
Welcoming all present, the Director of DHSE in the ministry of Health, Dr Mohamed Vandi underscored the importance of the donation. He said the DHSS primary responsibility is to provide public health emergency preparedness leadership, scientific and technical situational.
Dr Vandi noted that the 117 desks provide a mechanism to enhance the ability to detect, prevent and improve responses to disease outbreaks at all levels in the country.
The call canter according to Vandi helps to improve preparedness and responses to disease outbreaks, health across Sierra Leone. He recalled that there have been long cries to CDC and Jhpiego for the two new districts to benefit.
Representative from Jhpiego who doubles as the Project Lead, Dr Ibrahim Seriki said the strengthening of public health and emergency preparedness has been part of their core function.
He cited the contribution they have as a reputable organization in other parts of the world in relation to response to public cases. He said in Sierra Leone based on their output they are now a household name in the health sector.
He further explained other functions from point of entry to call 117. In her statement, the US-CDC representative Dr Daphine Mottett thanked all partners and called on Jhpiego to do more.
She also affirmed the positive role 117 play in terms of emergency response in health sector. Symbolic handover climaxed the ceremony.