By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, 25 September 2025 — In a significant boost to military healthcare, the Christian Relief Services (CRS), headquartered in Alexandra, United States of America, has donated a forty-foot container of assorted medical equipment to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The donation was facilitated through the Rural Youth Development Organization (RYDO), based in Bo.
The official handing-over ceremony took place on Monday, 22 September 2025, at the Service Support Command (SSCOM) Headquarters, Murray Town Barracks, Freetown. The container, valued at approximately $30,000, included essential medical items such as IV catheters, home care supplies, IV poles, crutches, medical cans, boots, braces, splints, and pads.
The initiative stemmed from collaborative discussions between Colonel Dr Ibrahim B. Kai-Samba, Director of Defence Medical Services, and Mr. J. Kobba, Program Coordinator of RYDO. Initially planned as a twenty-foot container, the donation was later expanded following further advocacy and a meeting between RYDO and the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura.
During the ceremony, Mr. Kobba handed over the container keys, emphasizing RYDO’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone, particularly within the Armed Forces.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the CDS, Chief of General Staff Major General Sahr David Thomas Ngaujah expressed deep appreciation to both CRS and RYDO. He noted that the equipment would significantly enhance RSLAF’s medical capabilities and acknowledged the Armed Forces’ pivotal role in national health crises, including the Ebola and COVID-19 epidemics.
“This donation is not only a boost to our operational readiness but also a recognition of RSLAF’s contributions to national development,” Major General Ngaujah stated. He assured that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose and encouraged continued partnership with RYDO.
The ceremony concluded with a physical inspection of the container and its contents.