Baby’s Death in PCMH Blackout Prompts Urgent Action

By: Christian Conteh

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Sierra Leone has acknowledged the severe impact of ongoing electricity shortages on hospitals across the country. With power outages disrupting critical medical services, healthcare facilities are grappling with significant challenges exacerbated by the reliance on diesel-powered generators, which incur substantial expenses.

In response to this pressing issue, the MoH, in collaboration with its partners, has embarked on a comprehensive strategy to address the electricity crisis in healthcare settings. Over the past year, efforts have been made to transition to sustainable and cost-effective solar alternatives. Six major government hospitals have already benefited from the installation of solar power plants, with plans for an additional 11 facilities to follow suit by year-end. Furthermore, 300 peripheral health units are slated to receive solar plants by the conclusion of 2024.

Despite these initiatives, the recent blackout at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) and Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) has underscored the urgent need for additional support. Dr. Jeredine George, a Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist at PCMH, recounted the harrowing experiences faced by healthcare workers during the outage. Nurses and doctors were forced to provide care in darkness, endangering the lives of patients, including newborns in distress.

“We are not complaining about the workload or salary but just that the working conditions should be better and that the patients who are promised free health care will receive it. They come to the hospital with nothing expecting free treatment but lo and behold they have to purchase almost everything needed for their survival,” Dr George said.

Dr. George’s testimony shed light on the dire situation at PCMH, where the installed solar capacity proved insufficient to sustain operations during prolonged blackouts. The hospital’s generator, limited to powering the operating theatre, could not mitigate the impact of the outage on essential medical services.

The issues are numerous at PCMH but yesterday’s duty brought to light the very sad conditions under which clinicians are forced to work. I’ve never done this before, I had complained to different individuals but not on such a large platform. Maybe it’s about time we get help.

In response to these challenges, the MoH has outlined key measures to address the systemic issues affecting healthcare delivery:

Urgent discussions with the Ministry of Energy to prioritize energy supply to major government hospitals through dedicated power lines.

Mobilization efforts to expedite solar power plant installations in all public health facilities nationwide.

Implementation of operational frameworks to ensure the effective utilization of solar plants for uninterrupted healthcare service delivery.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to address leadership challenges at PCMH and enhance the hospital’s capacity to cope with emergencies. Dr. Amadu Sesay, appointed as Medical Superintendent, will lead ongoing initiatives to improve hospital management and ensure continuity of care.

As the MoH endeavours to overcome the challenges posed by electricity shortages, the Ministry extends condolences to families affected by these difficulties and expresses gratitude to healthcare workers for their dedication. The commitment to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Sierra Leoneans remains unwavering.

Dr. George’s impassioned plea for assistance resonates with healthcare professionals nationwide, underscoring the urgent need for tangible support to safeguard the health and well-being of patients. As Sierra Leoneans unite in the face of adversity, concerted efforts are required to address the systemic issues plaguing the healthcare sector and ensure a brighter future for all