Rotary has a vision to build a hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone to care for sick children and to provide health education for families.
The Republic of Sierra Leone has a population of 5.5 million - 45% are children under the age of 15. The average life expectancy is 34 years. One in six infants dies at birth. (In Australia it is one in 200!) The Under Five Mortality Rate is the highest in the world – three out of every ten children die.
The main reasons for this appalling mortality rate are inadequate health facilities, especially for children, poor nutrition due to poverty, and the low level of education. The major killers are acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and malaria.
There is only one surgeon for every million people. Over 60% of the population lives in rural areas. Yet the only children’s hospital in the country is in Freetown, the capital, which is located on the coast. Bo is the largest rural city in Sierra Leone and is centrally located.
Starting in 2008, the project will be conducted in stages: purchase of land, construction of 20 bed hospital, later increasing to 60 beds, diagnostic facilities, operating theatre, health education, training and research unit.There is only one surgeon for every million people. Over 60% of the population lives in rural areas. Yet the only children’s hospital in the country is in Freetown, the capital, which is located on the coast. Bo is the largest rural city in Sierra Leone, and is centrally located.
Website:
www.bochildrenshospital.org