By Kadijatu Bangura | D.S Reporter
FREETOWN — The Government of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Government of Germany, is constructing a new child-friendly isolation unit at Ola During Children’s Hospital in Freetown to boost specialised care for children during infectious disease outbreaks.
The project was officially unveiled on Wednesday, 7th October 2026, at the hospital premises with the unveiling of the project panel, marking a major milestone in strengthening paediatric emergency preparedness.
The facility is being supported by Germany through its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s health authorities.
The isolation unit is designed to provide specialised care for children suspected or confirmed to have infectious diseases, while offering a safer, more supportive and child-friendly environment for young patients and their families.
According to health officials, the facility will significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to safely manage infectious disease cases during outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Beyond infrastructure, the project will strengthen human resource capacity. Doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff will be trained in infection prevention and control, triage, intensive care, facility maintenance and psychosocial support.
Hospital management systems will also be upgraded to ensure the safe, effective and sustainable operation of the unit after completion.
The intervention brings together the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Agency, Ola During Children’s Hospital and partners from Sierra Leone and Germany as part of broader efforts to improve national preparedness for future health emergencies.
For Ola During Children’s Hospital — the country’s main referral facility for children — the project will expand its ability to protect and treat children requiring isolation, while ensuring care is delivered in a setting that addresses their emotional and psychosocial needs.
The Government and its German partners described the initiative as a critical step towards building a resilient health system that guarantees timely, safe and compassionate care for children during public health crises.
For more information contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com
