Hello! We want to extend our most sincere thank you for your faithful support of our hospital!
Here is an update on some of the things going on and the improvements made from your donations, as well as our hopes and dreams for the future.
New storage for outpatient charts: When patients follow up in our outpatient department, it is essential to find their old charts. Previously, charts were stored in large, warped wooden drawers or kept in piles on shelves due to lack of space. This made it difficult to find charts and often led to losing charts or charts being destroyed by dust/humidity. We now have new large filing cabinets to keep them organized and protected from moisture and dust. We also have new, sturdy binders for inpatient charts.
New staff and training: We have welcomed some new staff to our hospital including nurses and accounts staff. Adventist Health International from Loma Linda sent an accounts software expert to train our accounts staff.
WiFi network: A new WiFi network with a battery backup system has given the entire hospital access to reliable WiFi. This eases communication between doctors-on-call and nurses. It gives our providers access to online medical resources for education and lays the groundwork for future projects including: security cameras, electronic medical record, and improved inventory systems.
Biomedical Engineering: Our CHO, Victor Ndoko finished his Biomedical Engineering training the end of 2021. While he is still in need of some tools he is beginning to work for other hospitals as well as continuing to keep our own equipment in working order.
Volunteers: Several groups of medical volunteers have spent 2-4 weeks with us despite the traveling challenges due to COVID. And now that COVID travel restrictions are easing, we are expecting more groups in the future.
Dental Clinic: Dr. Mel Bersaba, a LLU School of Dentistry graduate, and his wife, Maureen joined the hospital team to help start our dental clinic in Freetown. A lot of construction and progress has been made in transforming the building into a dental clinic and we are hoping to provide care to patients soon.
Upcoming projects:
- Sickle cell program, providing treatment for an expensive and complex disease
- Advanced training for our Community Health Officers (CHOs) to practice more like residents
- Continued renovations on a nearby building to allow expansion of the hospital
- Volunteer teams coming
- Expanding mobile clinic to more distant villages
- Working towards getting 45KVA generator, X-ray machine, multipurpose conference office
Many of these projects were made possible from your donations. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, staff salaries were always paid. The Lord has certainly blessed us! He has kept our hospital safe; not one of our staff has tested positive for COVID. We are excited about what your money has helped us accomplish and we know God will continue to bless His work here in Sierra Leone.
We pray God’s blessings and protection for you and your families.
Sincerely,
Your AHS Family
Freetown Adventist Dental Clinic
Dr. Mel Bersaba, DDS and his wife Maureen Bersaba, RN
New outpatient department filing cabinets
Victor Ndoko, Biomedical Engineer
