Aminata Turay Sierra Leone’s Vice
President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Saturday 14th March 2026, joined doctors, nurses, and staff of the Koidu Government Hospital in Koidu Town, Kono District for a special iftar gathering, breaking the Ramadan fast together as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and service to the people of Sierra Leone. “Today’s Iftar was particularly special because I spent it at the Kono Government Hospital, the very hospital where I was born,” Dr. Jalloh said, adding that: “As I shared a meal with the inspiring staff of the facility, I was reminded of the critical role they play in nation building by nurturing our young—the symbols of hope for a brighter tomorrow.”He noted that the gathering was not only to share a meal but also to show gratitude for the hospital’s contribution to improving healthcare services and the positive results emerging from the facility.Commending the hospital’s leadership, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh praised the District Medical Officer for presenting encouraging updates about the hospital’s work. He remarked that it was refreshing to hear progress without the usual references to “constraints, challenges, and concerns,” describing the moment as one of the best days for him in his time as Vice President because it reflected real progress and hope within the health sector.He further emphasized that healthcare remained a key priority of the government under President Julius Maada Bio, particularly within the human capital development agenda. He noted that the progress made in reducing maternal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone could not be told without mentioning the contributions of Koidu Government Hospital and its partners. “As Sierra Leone continues to make monumental strides in reducing child and maternal mortality, I want to thank the frontline health workers making the difference, especially Partners in Health and staff of the Maternal Center of Excellence at the Kono Government Hospital,” he stated.Extending his message beyond the hospital, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh also offered prayers and goodwill to citizens observing important religious seasons. “May you all receive the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan and Lenten and may you be rewarded richly for the hope you create every day,” he said, noting that the dedication of health workers continued to inspire hope and strengthen Sierra Leone’s health system. Providing updates on the hospital’s progress, the District Medical Officer Hospital, Mohamed Gbessay Sheku, highlighted significant improvements in services and staffing at the facility in Kono District. He noted that the hospital’s Special Care Unit for premature and critically ill children had already recorded notable success within just three months of operation, with many newborns receiving life-saving treatment and recovering successfully. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Health had deployed about 52 midwives to strengthen maternal services at the hospital, while 13 medical officers had recently been posted to support the growing team of healthcare workers.The District Medical Officer further explained that several ongoing investments were helping transform the facility into a major referral center for the region. Among them, he said, were the construction of a large medical warehouse, a 60-bed accommodation facility for nurses, and plans for a 100-bed capacity for pediatric ward to cater for children under five. He described these developments as part of the government’s broader efforts to upgrade the hospital into a tertiary referral facility, emphasizing that healthcare workers in the district remained grateful for the improved working environment and continued support from the government and the Vice President.