Dr. Hassan Sesay was very busy when we arrived at the Evans Medical Center this morning. It is June 2, 2024 and a Sunday, the day of the week that Dr. Sesay holds maternity ultrasound clinics. Expectant mothers line up inside and outside the clinic waiting their turns. Dr. Sesay explained that women will want to confirm a pregnancy with ultrasound after a positive pregnancy test. He then recommends ultrasound at 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for any concerns.
As we waited for Dr. Sesay to finish with a patient, we went to the labor and delivery room renovated through funds from the Rashid S. Conteh Memorial Foundation. Rashid's picture greets visitors, his smile welcoming all who enter the space.
Dr. Sesay showed us the ultrasound machine donated by Probo Medical and delivered to the clinic by TRIMEDX Foundation. It has gotten a lot of use since he received it in February! We purchased printer paper and brought it along with other donated items in a suitcase. Dr. Sesay had difficulty sourcing the paper for the printer in Sierra Leone. With the model number, it was a quick and easy purchase on Amazon in the US. Along with printer paper, we carried donated over-the-counter medication and infant aspirators.
We hope to begin construction of the surgical center (theatre) addition to the clinic later this year or in early 2025. This structure will be a memorial project bearing Rashid's name and providing a facility for emergency surgeries. Dr. Sesay has plans to also add in-patient wards, developing the Evans Medial Center into a small hospital serving the people of the Lungi, Sierra Leone area.
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