By Salllieu S. Kanu
In a major boost to Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, the Government of India has donated 15 haemodialysis machines and five Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification systems, along with a year’s supply of consumables, to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
The equipment was formally handed over by India’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradhan, to Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby during a ceremony at the 34 Military Hospital on Monday, March 23, 2026.
High Commissioner Pradhan emphasized that the donation would significantly expand access to life-saving dialysis services amid rising cases of kidney-related illnesses. He announced that Indian engineers and technical experts will soon arrive to install the machines and train local operators, with additional opportunities for specialized training in India under consideration.
Pradhan also highlighted ongoing discussions on broader healthcare cooperation, including public-private partnerships to establish modern hospitals and medical training institutions in Sierra Leone, as well as agreements to supply affordable medicines. He recalled India’s previous support during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the importance of building resilient local healthcare systems.
Receiving the donation, Dr. Demby expressed gratitude to the Indian Government, describing the gesture as a continuation of the strong partnership between the two nations. He underscored the role of health in national development and outlined reforms underway to improve access and quality of services. These include expanding renewable energy to health facilities, increasing the number of locally trained doctors, and constructing new hospitals and specialist centres across the country.
Dr. Demby noted that dialysis services had previously been limited, forcing patients to travel long distances or seek treatment abroad. The new machines, he said, will allow services to be provided closer to communities and reduce patient burdens.
Special Envoy for Healthcare Services Delivery, Peter Mannah, shared his personal connection to kidney disease and praised India’s support, while Gilbert Cooper, Director General of the Ministry of Defence, described the donation as a milestone in the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Sierra Leone and India.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba stressed that the donation represents more than equipment—it is a life-saving intervention. He revealed plans to decentralize dialysis services by distributing some of the machines to provincial hospitals, ensuring equitable access nationwide.