Freetown – Today, the World Health Organization Country Office in Sierra Leone formally handed over to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation a consignment of assorted laboratory equipment and commodities for safe blood services worth $133,000 to help bolster laboratory capacity for safe blood services in the country.

The items including Hemocue anaylzers; Hemocue microcuvettes; anti -A, anti-B, anti-A+B and anti -D blood reagents; HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test kits and blood bags were procured with funds provided by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) through WHO.

While making his statement at the handing over of the items to the Minister of Health and Sanitation, the WHO Representative Dr. Steven Shongwe lauded the effort of the Government of Sierra Leone to invest its own money in the health of its people.

“There is a need to strengthen laboratory systems at the national and sub national level in the country to better meet the clinical and public health needs; and we want to acknowledge the effort of the Government of Sierra Leone for demonstrating such commitment” said Dr Shongwe.  He encouraged proper stock monitoring and timely inventory update to avoid stock-out of essential laboratory commodities and ensure continuity of service delivery.

Dr. Shongwe also underscored the importance of safe blood services as the human life largely depends on healthy blood to continue in existence. “We cannot emphasize enough the need for adequate safe blood supply in our blood banks to help save lives during emergencies requiring safe blood services and products” said Dr. Shongwe.

The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, expressed gratitude to WHO for its continued support to strengthen the country’s health sector even as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

“This event today is an indication that even as we continue to fight COVID-19, we must not forget that there are other health issues that need to be addressed. We must remind ourselves that health care delivery across the board for all ailments is very important” said Dr. Demby.

Another batch of procurement of laboratory and blood services commodities and supplies is underway with funding from the IsDB and the Government of Sierra Leone.