Koidu: Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh shared a Ramadan iftar meal with staff at Koidu Government Hospital in Kono District on Saturday, March 14th, 2026. The evening served as a heartfelt acknowledgment of the dedication demonstrated by doctors, nurses, and support staff serving the people of Sierra Leone. According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Dr. Jalloh described the gathering as deeply personal, revealing a profound connection to the facility. 'Today's Iftar was particularly special because I spent it at the Kono Government Hospital, the very hospital where I was born,' he shared. Breaking bread with the facility's inspiring workforce, he reflected on their indispensable role in nation-building. 'I was reminded of the critical role they play in nation building by nurturing our young the symbols of hope for a brighter tomorrow,' the Vice President stated, emphasizing that the occasion transcended a simple meal to become a gesture of profound gratitude for the hospital's contributions to enhanced healthcare services and tangible positive outcomes. The Vice President lauded the hospital's leadership, specifically commending the District Medical Officer for a presentation highlighting encouraging operational updates. He noted the refreshing departure from discussions dominated by 'constraints, challenges, and concerns,' characterizing the moment as one of the most fulfilling days of his tenure. This progress, he remarked, genuinely reflected advancement and instilled hope within the health sector. Reaffirming healthcare as a cornerstone of President Julius Maada Bio's government, Dr. Jalloh situated these efforts within the broader human capital development agenda. He asserted that Sierra Leone's significant achievements in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates were inseparable from the contributions of Koidu Government Hospital and its collaborators. 'As Sierra Leone continues to make monumental strides in reducing child and maternal mortality, I want to thank the frontline health workers mak ing the difference, especially Partners in Health and staff of the Maternal Center of Excellence at the Kono Government Hospital,' he declared. Extending his message of goodwill beyond the hospital walls, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh offered prayers for citizens observing sacred religious periods. 'May you all receive the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan and Lenten and may you be rewarded richly for the hope you create every day,' he stated, underscoring how health workers' unwavering dedication continues to inspire hope and fortify Sierra Leone's healthcare system. Providing a detailed progress report, District Medical Officer Mohamed Gbessay Sheku outlined significant service and staffing enhancements at the Kono District facility. He announced remarkable achievements within the hospital's Special Care Unit, dedicated to premature and critically ill children, which has recorded notable success in its first three months, with numerous newborns receiving life-saving interventions and recovering successfully. Sub stantial government investment was also highlighted, including the deployment of approximately 52 midwives to bolster maternal services and the recent posting of 13 medical officers to expand the healthcare team. Ongoing infrastructure projects aim to transform the facility into a premier regional referral center. These include constructing a large medical warehouse, a 60-bed accommodation unit for nurses, and the planned development of a 100-bed pediatric ward for children under five. Dr. Sheku framed these developments as integral to broader government efforts to elevate the hospital to tertiary status, expressing profound gratitude from district healthcare workers for the enhanced working environment and sustained support from the administration and Vice President.