Project Serabu, Sierra Leone Summary

Early in the 1950's, the Cluny sisters of Ireland started a maternity clinic in Serabu; this Clinic was then transformed into a 120 bed general hospital, which was later managed by the Holy Rosary Sisters who had more personnel with medical qualifications. This hospital was built in 1954, and became one of the best hospitals and a centre of excellence in quality health care delivery in West Africa, and in training rural nurses. However the civil war from 1991-2002 led to the complete destruction of the hospital infrastructure and the looting of all its equipment.

Following the war the Serebu community and the Catholic Mission approached the Government of Sierra Leone and the European Union to rebuild the hospital of 120 beds. The reconstruction was approved by the European Union and cost €3,000,000. The hospital includes buildings for: Outpatients, Children's Ward, Medical Ward, Surgical Ward, Maternity unit, a Nursing School, Laundry, Powerhouse, Administrative Block, Fever Unit (HIV/TB), Pharmacy, Laboratory, Radiology, Maintenance shop, Kitchen, Stores, 3 staff quarters, mortuary and garage. The hospital was "completed" in August 2007. However, funding for equipment, administration, including salaries and transportation, was not included by the EU in particular for the maternity ward and thus the hospital has not opened.

The Archbishop of Freetown/Bo approached MaterCare International (MCI) in mid 2006 to help develop the maternity services at the hospital and in the community by providing obstetrical equipment, transport, training and some operations support.

Dr. Walley, MCI's Executive Director, visited the reconstructed hospital in Serabu in December 2007 and met with officials of the Archdiocese and visited the hospital. Unfortunately there are major design flaws such that the hospital is not up to minimal standards required for surgery and maternity care. In addition there was no budget developed for the equipment or operating costs. Neither the government of Sierra Leone nor the Archdiocese has the funds to operate the hospital. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and thus has the highest maternal mortality ratio 2000/100,000 live births.

MCI has submitted a proposal to EuropeAid (European Union) for funding for equipment and operating costs for 5 years.