Sierra Leone Reopens Gbondapi Health Centre to improve maternal care
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Health Minister Dr Austin Demby commissioned the rehabilitated Gbondapi Community Health Centre in the Pujehun District of Sierra Leone.
The facility was upgraded through the Ministry of Health’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Project to address long-standing infrastructure problems. The centre now provides Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to more than 9,067 people across 14 communities in Pujehun and the neighbouring Bonthe District.
The renovation added several features to the clinic, including air conditioning, solar-powered electricity, modern toilets, and paved surroundings. The facility now contains four delivery beds, nine postnatal beds, and medical equipment such as ultrasound scanners and oxygen concentrators. These improvements specifically aim to help riverine communities access essential maternal and newborn healthcare services. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba stated that the government intends to maintain these services by ensuring the facility has qualified workers, functional ambulances, and proper maintenance.
Dr Demby also shared plans to build a 100-bed hospital about five kilometres from Gbondapi to further strengthen local healthcare. The project supports the 300-Days Activism for Triple Zero, which aims to eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths.
