MTA, SLCAA, and the Embassy of Japan Commissions Ambulance and other medical equipment

25th May 2022

SLCAA Training Hall, Lungi

The Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, and the Embassy of Japan have commissioned Vehicle Ambulance and other Medical Equipment for the Health Clinic at the Freetown International Airport (FNA), under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP).

It could be recalled that the SLCAA and IOM on 25th March 2021 launched the project entitled: “Strengthen Health System Capacity, Preparedness, and Resilience in COVID-19 Points of Entry with Sierra Leone Diaspora”, through the GGHSP grant framework, the SLCAA was awarded grant support from the Japan Embassy for the provision of Ambulance, a thermal camera, five wheelchairs, handheld thermometers and sets of face masks, hand sanitizers and other protective gears totaling $53,645.

Given the Background of the project, Dr. Alusine Yilla, the Project Team Lead said that the agreement applied for support towards building the capacity of the Airport safety oversight on the Airport Health Infrastructure. “The project’s objective was to strengthen the capacity to prevent, detect, notify and respond to the risk of infectious disease outbreaks at the airport”, he revealed. 

Speaking on behalf of the SLCAA Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SLCAA, Patrick Jaia Kaikai, stated that the SLCAA was able to identify a particular problem that has been associated with the Freetown International Airport for a long time and believed that the donation of this ambulance and other medical equipment has addressed that gap. 

On behalf of the Management and Board of Directors of the SLCAA and SLAA, he extended his warmest appreciation to the People and Government of Japan for their continued support to Sierra Leone and IOM for facilitating the project. 

Dr. Alie Wurie, Deputy Chief Medical Officer – Public Health, on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation expressed his profound thanks to the Government of Japan through its Embassy for this great support and the many others they have rendered. He assured that the ambulance and other medical equipment will be used for the purpose for which they are donated. 

In his statement, the Deputy Director-General of Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sulay-Manah Kpukumu, recognized the longstanding and excellent bilateral relationship between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of Japan. He maintained that the Foreign Ministry heartily welcomes the gesture because it comes at a time when Sierra Leone is poised to commission a standard, modern, and advanced international airport. “The new Airport is intended to crystalize His Excellency the President’s ambition to transform Freetown International Airport into a transit hub in the sub-region”, he concluded. 

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan accredited to Sierra Leone, Mitori Naoki, in his remark, said that Japan has been implementing projects through the GGHSP scheme focusing on promoting the concept of human security aimed at building a world where everyone can live in dignity, through the protection and empowerment of individuals. “When we received this request from the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority to support the Airport Health Clinic, we wasted no time to respond, as we know the importance of strengthening the various points of entry into a country”.   

He assured that Japan will remain committed to supporting Sierra Leone to achieve its development targets.    

Representing the Hon. Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Transport Advisor at the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Dr. Adams Stevens, revealed that Sierra Leone and Japan have both enjoyed excellent relationships over the last six decades. He maintained that through its Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the government of Japan has supported diverse facets of Sierra Leone’s developmental aspirations. 

Today we are witnessing yet another humanitarian gesture in health and sanitation for one of our key entry points into Sierra Leone. This contribution I can assure you all will go a very long way in making air transport into and out of the country safer and healthier”, he ended

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