MOD/RSLAF KEY MESSAGE ON SALONE TIMES PUBLICATIONS TITLED “MILLIONS IN LIMBO AT 34 MILITARY HOSPITAL” AND “34 MILITARY HOSPITAL IN SHAMBLES”

1. MoD/RSLAF has read the contents of the two publications of Salone Times newspaper. The first edition was published on 9 September 2019 with the banner headline “Millions in Limbo at 34 Military Hospital” and the second edition on 18 September 2019 with another banner headline “34 Military Hospital in Shambles”. Hence, MoD/RSLAF considers the publications as inaccurate and misleading.

2. MoD/RSLAF would, therefore, like the public to know that on 6 September, 2019, as part of its oversight functions, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defence visited 34 Military Hospital in order “to interface with all the Departments and Units of the hospital”. The visiting team had six members including the Committee Chairman, Hon. Hafiju Maada Kanja.

3. During the visit, the Defence Committee was briefed about the Roles and Responsibilities of Joint Medical Unit (JMU) by Lieutenant Colonel HS Kamara. Besides, as requested by the Defence Committee, Lieutenant Colonel Kamara gave a comprehensive breakdown of how the monthly running cost of Le 100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Leones) was expended. This breakdown was explained with documentary evidence. However, MoD/RSLAF was surprised that the Salone Times had twice reported the facts otherwise.

4. Furthermore, MoD/RSLAF was also surprised that Salone Times newspaper erroneously reported that Captain Dr Cole presented a Bank Statement to the Defence Committee, which showed that salaries were paid to many unqualified staff. As a matter of fact, there was no bank statement ever presented to the Defence Committee, which revealed such irregularity. Besides, Captain Dr Cole has never been employed as Pay Master. Hence, he could not present any Bank Statement or handle any financial matters on behalf of 34 Military Hospital. More importantly, Captain Dr Cole never attended that meeting.

5. Nevertheless, MoD/RSLAF is pleased that the monthly running cost allocated to 34 Military Hospital is judiciously expended on key issues such as solving personnel welfare; maintaining routine supplies; repairing infrastructures, electrical and vehicles; paying honorarium to extra staff like consultants and waste collectors; responding to urgent emergencies; as well as conducting routine training on quality improvement in medical services, infectious control and orientation of new staff among others.

6. Moreover, MoD/RSLAF is satisfied that over the period these funds have also been expended on renovating the Medical Ward, refurbishing the Research Unit as well as constructing the Alcohol Based Hand Rub Production Centre. The rehabilitation of the HIV/TB and Ophthalmology Department will commence this week.

7. MoD/RSLAF is further pleased that in response to the general infrastructural challenges in the hospital, the Government of Sierra Leone has allocated over Le 37,000,000/00 (Thirty Seven Billion Leones) for rehabilitation purpose.

8. Based on the above, MoD/RSLAF is requesting Salone Times to retract its publications and to always observe the three alphabets of professional journalism: Accuracy (A), Balance (B) and Credibility (C).

STATUS OF RSLAF PARTICIPATION IN PSO...(Click to Read More)

ALLEGED STOLEN BABY AT 34 MILITARY HOSPITAL...(Click to Read)

A NEW INFANTRY BRIGADE IN THE EASTERN REGION...(Click to Read)

RESIGNATION OF THREE SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS...(Click to Read)

OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN KAMARA...(Click to Read)

Summary of Key Messages...(Click to Read)

Furthermore, for any media query, please contact the following:

1. Group Captain John Gbondo
Director, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 76 750 557

2. lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Bangura
Staff Officer Grade 1, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 252 625

3. Major Yayah Brima
Staff Officer Grade 2, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 452 876