GOAL Sierra Leone Hands Over Health Facilities and Solar-Powered Water System in Kenema and Moyamba

Sierra Leone continues to face gaps in access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. GOAL Sierra Leone works closely with government partners to strengthen health systems by improving infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy access, and workforce conditions. These investments aim to support safer service delivery, enhance resilience, and improve health outcomes for women, children, and emergency patients.

Gaps in Emergency and Maternal Healthcare

During the handover ceremony, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Prof. Charles Senessie, reflected on a critical gap he witnessed in Moyamba District. He recalled an incident where a road traffic accident victim died before an ambulance arrived at a time when there was no trauma centre to provide immediate care.

That experience contributed to the establishment of the Taiama Trauma Holding Center. However, once constructed, the facility lacked a reliable water supply, an essential requirement for infection prevention, hygiene, and safe treatment.

“I approached GOAL and urged that the facility needed water,” Prof. Senessie said. “They not only provided water, but they also provided a full reticulation system. I am happy that GOAL came to our aid. I congratulate the Country Director of GOAL; he has a wonderful team.”

Integrated Health Infrastructure Solutions

In response to these needs, GOAL Sierra Leone, with support from Maverton and Bank of Ireland, installed a solar-powered piped water network (reticulation) system at the Taiama Trauma Holding Center, ensuring patients and health workers reliable access to clean water.

GOAL also handed over two newly constructed health facilities in Sandaru and Sembehun in Kenema District. The facilities are equipped with labor, pre-natal, and postnatal wards; Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) units; solar power systems; and WASH infrastructure. The Sembehun facility additionally includes staff quarters to support health worker retention and round-the-clock service delivery.

“These investments are designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes in communities that have long faced barriers to care,” said James Riak, GOAL Sierra Leone’s Country Director.

Partnership, Ownership, and Sustainability

Addressing community members and stakeholders, James Riak emphasised that sustainability must remain a shared responsibility.

“Let us not stop here. Sustainability is key,” he said. “This system must be maintained, protected, and used responsibly. That responsibility belongs to all of us, the health workers, the community, and every stakeholder.

He described the Taiama Trauma Holding Center as “a lifeline in times of emergency,” noting that access to clean water enables the facility to maintain hygiene standards, prevent infections, and provide care in a safe environment, thereby saving lives.

Prof. Senessie reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to partnership and stewardship, acknowledging that government cannot meet all needs alone. He highlighted that GOAL’s work aligns closely with the Ministry’s four ‘A’s’: alignment, accompaniment, acceleration, and accountability.

“That is exactly what GOAL Sierra Leone has done here,” he said. “At a time of global financial strain, GOAL’s continued delivery demonstrates credibility and commitment.”

Kenema District Council Chair Francess Jambawai also welcomed the handover, describing GOAL as a trusted partner in the district, particularly for its work expanding access to clean and safe water in hard-to-reach areas. She encouraged communities in Sembehun and Sandaru to take ownership of the facilities by actively using services, especially pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Concluding the event, James Riak underscored that infrastructure alone is not enough. “As we hand over these facilities, let us remember that buildings do not save lives, people do,” he said. “Skilled health workers, active community participation, and sustained support are critical. I urge communities to protect and use these facilities, and I call on the government to continue leading the effort to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.”