The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer, has disclosed that about seventeen (17) trained Peace Corps Health Volunteers will commence their operation in the country after they have undergone ten (10) weeks pre-service training. He disclosed that the health volunteers would be officially sworn in on Friday 9th September, 2022 at the Peace Corps training facility in Kambia.

Ambassador David Reimer made the disclosures yesterday Wednesday 31st August, 2022 at the US Embassy in Freetown, when updating the media on the Sierra Leone health sector.

According to the Ambassador, the heath volunteers would go to communities across the country to work with local partners on health and education, adding that five (5) of the health volunteers would serve alongside community health focusing on child and maternal health.He added that the health volunteers would also work with women and caregivers to promote healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries and healthy children.

Ambassador Reimer continued that the said health volunteers would be also working with Community Health Workers to improve their skills to deliver health education, as well as with the youth to increase their knowledge on how to improve their health and well-being.

The Ambassador further disclosed that in addition to the five (5) health volunteers working on community health, there are twelve (12) additional health volunteers who would be working with local communities on primary and secondary education programmes.

Speaking about Health Grid, the US Ambassador said access to stable, reliable electricity is key for healthcare providers to treat people, adding that electricity should not be a privilege in just healthcare clinics in the major cities.
He disclosed that they are expecting to conclude the installation of 31 clean energy facilities for rural health clinics, noting that health grid project is designed to improve access to electricity in healthcare facilities and many more.

According to the Ambassador, the health grid is a collaboration between the US Government through USAID, the non-profit RESOLVE and World Vision, private sector partner, Orange Sierra Leone together with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation. He said a total sum of US$2million is funded through USAID for the said project, adding that it would also include a sustainable fund of about US$100, 000.00 which would enable long-term maintenance and oversight of the facilities.