By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Ross Road Community Hospital in Freetown received a significant boost to its healthcare delivery capacity this week as Africa Global Logistics (AGL) handed over vital medical equipment in a well-attended donation ceremony. The gesture was described as timely and transformative, coming at a moment when hospitals across Sierra Leone continue to struggle with outdated tools and limited resources.
The donation included a range of critical equipment valued at Le180, 500.00, among them examination couches, patient chairs, blood pressure monitors, oximeters, a microscope machine, and a height-scale weighing unit. Each piece of equipment was carefully chosen to directly support diagnostic services and improve patient care, especially in maternal and child health—a major focus for the hospital.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Patricia Steven, Senior Community Health Officer in charge of Ross Road Hospital, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the intervention. She recalled earlier engagements with teams from both FTL and AGL, underscoring the hospital’s importance to the surrounding community. “This support is not only about machines—it is about lives,” she remarked. “Every chair, every scale, and every monitor will directly impact patient outcomes. Our staff are encouraged to know that partners like AGL are walking with us in this journey.”
The highlight of the ceremony was an inspiring address by Capt. Fabjanko Kokán, Regional Manager of AGL for Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, who emphasized the inseparable link between quality healthcare and modern equipment. “A doctor’s skill and a nurse’s care are vital, but their efforts can be limited by outdated or insufficient tools,” he said. “That is why we are proud to present this donation—not as mere objects of metal and plastic, but as instruments of hope, healing, and recovery.”
Capt. Kokán explained that AGL views healthcare support as part of its broader mission of social responsibility in the countries where it operates. “Infrastructure, equipment, and people are the three factors to success,” he continued. “Today’s donation represents our commitment to ensuring that the Ross Road Community Hospital can meet the needs of its patients with dignity and effectiveness. But we also recognize that the journey is ongoing. Our hope is that this contribution inspires others—companies, organizations, and individuals—to support healthcare facilities across Sierra Leone.”
The event was attended by staff members, community representatives, and invited guests, many of whom welcomed the initiative as a step forward in reducing preventable deaths, particularly maternal and child mortality. According to health officers present, the new equipment will shorten diagnostic times, improve patient monitoring, and provide a safer and more efficient environment for both staff and patients.
Beyond the technical benefits, the donation was also symbolic of a growing partnership between Sierra Leone’s private sector and its healthcare institutions. For Ross Road Hospital, located in one of Freetown’s busiest communities, the gesture signalled recognition of its frontline role in serving thousands of people with limited resources.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Steven renewed calls for ongoing collaboration, stressing that the fight for stronger healthcare systems cannot be won in isolation. “This contribution reminds us that when we work together—government, private sector, and the community—lives are saved. We hope to see more of these partnerships flourish,” she said.
The ceremony ended on a note of optimism, with hospital staff and guests applauding AGL’s role in championing community health. While the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s health system remain immense, the Ross Road Community Hospital now looks forward to delivering better, faster, and more reliable services, powered by the support of partners who believe that good health is the foundation of national progress.
