By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Japanese Government, through its international agency JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare in Sierra Leone by handing over a range of critical resources to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The donation includes four fully equipped vehicles, laptops, and other office equipment designed to support staff transportation, outreach programs, and administrative tasks at the JMB Pediatric Center of Excellence.
The handing-over ceremony was on Friday 28 March 2025 in Freetown, where Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, received the generous donation on behalf of the Ministry. The four vehicles, which are equipped with the necessary tools for efficient staff transportation and outreach work, will be crucial in enhancing the Ministry’s ability to reach remote areas and provide healthcare services to children in underserved communities. Additionally, the laptops and office equipment will improve medical data management, strengthen administrative processes, and ensure more efficient healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Demby expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government and JICA for their ongoing support to Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector. “This generous donation represents another significant step forward in our collective efforts to improve healthcare in Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Demby. “These vehicles will enable our healthcare workers reach communities in remote areas more easily, while the laptops and office equipment will streamline our administrative operations, ensuring that we manage medical records and patient data more efficiently. With these resources, we are confident that the JMB Pediatric Center of Excellence will be better equipped to deliver high-quality healthcare to the children who need it the most.”
The JMB Pediatric Center of Excellence, which is dedicated to providing specialized care for children, will benefit significantly from these new resources. The vehicles will be essential for reaching underserved areas where transportation has historically been a barrier to healthcare access. In addition, the center will be able to enhance its outreach programs, which are aimed at educating communities about child health, vaccination, and disease prevention. The new office equipment will also streamline the day-to-day operations of the center, allowing staff to manage patient data and medical records more effectively and ensuring better communication within the healthcare system.
The donation forms part of the broader ongoing partnership between Sierra Leone and Japan, with JICA playing a key role in supporting the country’s development efforts, particularly in healthcare. For years, Japan has been a strong ally to Sierra Leone, providing financial and technical assistance to various sectors, including health, education, and infrastructure.
In his remarks at the ceremony, the Head of JICA’s Sierra Leone office, reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in improving healthcare and other critical sectors. “JICA is proud to contribute to Sierra Leone’s efforts in strengthening its healthcare system,” he said. “We understand the challenges Sierra Leone faces in providing healthcare services, especially in remote areas. By providing these vehicles and office equipment, we hope to play a small but important role in helping the Ministry of Health deliver better healthcare services to its people, particularly the children who are most vulnerable.”
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between Japan, Sierra Leone, and other international partners in achieving sustainable development goals. “We believe that healthcare is one of the most fundamental areas that require attention to ensure the overall well-being of any country. By working together, we can make a difference in the lives of Sierra Leone’s children and their families.”
The Ministry of Health expressed its deep appreciation for JICA’s continued support, noting that the resources provided would greatly enhance the capacity of the JMB Pediatric Center of Excellence.
With the addition of these essential tools, the center will be able to serve more children and families, while also improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations.
As Sierra Leone works towards strengthening its healthcare system, the continued partnership with Japan and JICA remains crucial in ensuring that the country can provide high-quality, accessible healthcare to all its citizens.
With the support of international partners like JICA, the Ministry of Health remains confident in its ability to overcome the challenges it faces and provide better healthcare for the people of Sierra Leone, especially its most vulnerable children.
