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Stakeholders of Devil Hole, a densely populated Community with thousands of less privileged in the outskirts of Freetown in the Western Rural District of Sierra Leone had a facelift. The Humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made an official handing over ceremony of medical equipment including a full colored Ultrasound Scanner, an Olympus Microscope, and a 12.5KVA Plant Generator to the Care For All Health Hospital.
During the handing-over ceremony, key government officials, hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, and even patients gathered with the Humanitarian missionaries, Elder and Sister Olmstead, including the Church’s National Communication Director, Valerie Young, and the President of the Kossoh Town Sierra Leone Stake - Abibu S. Charles.
Dr. David Sellu - the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Care For All Health Hospital gave brief background information about his clinic. He said the hospital was established in August 2021 on the basis of helping deprived Sierra Leoneans access proper medical care. On behalf of the health facility, he expressed utmost satisfaction for what he termed as the timely intervention of the Church. "With the intervention of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the weekly percentage of inpatients has increased from the low 15% to a whopping 65%. He admitted the progress occurred as a result of the much-needed equipment provided by the Church. This complements the government's drive towards universal health for all". Dr. Sellu went on that since October 4, 2021, they had rendered services to 1,296 patients of which, 296 were adult males, and 634 were adult females, and 366 were pediatric patients. "Out of this amount we recorded 5 referrals and 0 deaths. With all these success stories we still need to do more, to provide more care and increase the capacity of inpatients. But we cannot do this without the help of all of us present here”. The Doctor pleaded with humanitarians, the government, and other donors to help them expand their facilities adding that plans are underway to establish a Maternity Unit, and an ICU Unit due to the increase in emergency cases and the needs of the community where they operate.
He applauded the Senior Missionaries, Elder and Sister Olmstead for responding to the hospital calls at any given time. Doctor Sellu said that with their interventions, backed by the diagnostic equipment provided by the Church, they have been able to do their work more effectively.
Representing the community Chief, the Community Secretary, Mohamed Borboh Bah cited that the clinic has been tremendous in all its services. Mr. Bah said the Devil Hole community is a vulnerable one with most of its members unable to go to Freetown for healthcare issues, especially with the increment in transportation fares. “We are so happy for the establishment of this clinic in our community, this has addressed most of the health issues in our community.
Emanuel Samuel Ola Ledlum, a patient in the hospital who coincidentally happens to be a member of the Church, was diagnosed with Hepatitis B. He has been battling the disease for a while now and visited many hospitals, noting he’s proud to know the hospital that finally made a difference in his sickness was supported by his Church.
“I am a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Freetown East Stake. I came in contact with the Care For All Health Hospital through Bishop Kamanda. I am grateful for the doctor and the nurses for their love and care."
In a brief remark, Elder Olmstead, said, “Latter-day Saints Charities is the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our purpose is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service.” He added that supporting the Care For All Health Hospital fulfills that purpose in every way. He expressed satisfaction for the opportunity to partner together. Elder Olmstead concluded that, with the generator, the hospital will be able to generate power supply that will help the health facility to function very effectively.
His wife, Sister Olmstead, shared what impressed her most was when she visited the Care For All Health Hospital. She said, “there was a signpost on the wall, I took a picture of it and it says, 'At Care For All Clinic, a patient is the most important visitor in our premises.' "They are not an interruption of our work, they are the purpose of it. They are not an outsider to our Profession, they are part of it. We are not doing them a favour, they are doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do so. When I read that, I realised that they would be a wonderful partner, because their desire was to serve their community and it has been a privilege to work with them to provide these items so they could move forward with patients.” She thanked them for what she termed “a beautiful work” they are doing and for letting them be a part of it.
Abibu Saidu Charles, President Kosoh Town Sierra Leone Stake, recounted that he served with Brother Ledlum as Full-time Missionaries in Ghana in the 90s.
He said that Brother Ledlum as a patient at the hospital is a testimony that the support normally given by the Church to communities often comes back to members of the Church. “I never knew I would meet my own brother here, I thank this hospital for their good work in this community”. He likened the work of the hospital staff to those of angels, noting that no amount of money can repay them for their work. He concluded with a prayer that they continue with such tradition even unto their next generation with “an eye single to the service of mankind”.
In his keynote address, Musa Barratay Esq. stated that "I am amazed by this kind gesture by the Humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I am really touched. It's something worth emulating. I have already started". He went on to say that just last year he took fifteen patients all the way from the capital Freetown to Care For All Health Hospital in the rural district. He expressed total satisfaction over the professionalism displayed by management of the hospital. He added that before vouching for the legal profession, he started life as a health practitioner. "Thus", he said, "I am aware of some of the ethical principles guiding healthcare practices." In conclusion, Barrister Barratay pledged a free legal service for the Care for all Health facility, and all its Personnel.
The ceremony was climaxed by a symbolic handing over of the donated medical equipment. The handing over was done by Sister Valerie Young in behalf of the Church. The equipment was received by Dr. David Sellu, CEO and Founder of the Care For All Health Hospital.