2020 was a challenging but productive year for Waterloo Adventist Hospital.
Early in the year, the hospital set out on long needed renovations. Previously, it was difficult to roll a wheelchair down the hall as the tile was so uneven. Not only did the project improve the floor, there was also all new electrical wiring, a new roof, and a fresh coat of paint. The areas included in the project were the male ward, the accounts offices, staff offices, and the theatre. The physical therapy department also had toilets installed so the disabled patients didn’t have to move to other buildings to use the facilities.
In the capital, Freetown, the hospital started transforming a building into a dental clinic and doctor’s quarters. A dentist from the US came and lived in Sierra Leone for several months to help make the major decisions for the design, layout, and outfitting of the space.
In addition to renovation there was also new construction. 
The CRM team (Community Resiliency Model), supported by the LLU psychiatry department had an office building built on the hospital compound to help coordinate their frequent outreach and training exercises in the surrounding communities. They completed several projects and trained almost 100 students, teachers, and parents in resiliency techniques.
When coronavirus struck, the hospital collaborated with Sierra Leone’s nationwide pandemic response and the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC). The entire hospital was devoted to the effort. The staff salaries were paid by the government for several months as the hospital closed services to the general public. The government saw the needs of the hospital and provided a transformer only for the hospital compound which will provide more stable electricity. The CRM building was temporarily used as a one room clinic / ward while the main hospital focused on COVID.
After COVID started to decline the hospital continued its routine operations and further development. The nurses received uniforms and the entire staff was outfitted with ID cards. The lab staff participated both in teaching and learning in the nationwide effort of Impact Malaria. The accounts department’s equipment was placed on 24/7 battery backup. The pharmacy and inventory was standardized with the implementation of new tracking software.
Two new departments had their beginnings in 2020. 
Early in the year, a US trained ultrasound tech came and trained one of our CHOs in the use of the ultrasound machine. After some collaboration with Dr. Fernando and some self-study, the radiology department of AHS was opened with routine and emergency ultrasounds being offered to the community. With Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rates being one of the highest in the world, the plans were completed and a foundation of a new maternity ward was laid. Construction has continued into 2021.
The theatre had plenty of use of its new anesthesia machine and many lives were saved. One patient, Daniel, came to the hospital when his small intestine was literally hanging out of his abdomen for weeks before his arrival. After multiple operations and the tireless effort of the theatre staff, his life was saved. This would have been impossible without the anesthesia machine.
Throughout 2020, the world met unprecedented challenges. But it was easy to see God’s providence and protection at our hospital in Sierra Leone. The Lord both protected our staff from the pandemic and allowed us to start the groundwork in several areas that will develop the hospital for years to come. We give thanks for all of our financial supporters and donors, and we know His blessings will continue into 2021.