Dr. Samateh and Farafenni Hospital
By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Health has confirmed the temporary suspension of ultrasound scanning services at Farafenni General Hospital due to the annual leave of the facility’s sole Cuban ultrasound technician.
In a statement addressing public concerns, the Ministry assured that the ultrasound machine remains fully functional but acknowledged the service disruption caused by the technician’s absence.
“The Ministry of Health acknowledges the concerns regarding ultrasound services at Farafenni General Hospital and appreciates the public’s engagement in highlighting critical health service issues. We wish to clarify that the ultrasound machine at the hospital is fully functional; however, scanning services have been temporarily affected due to the annual leave of the only available Cuban ultrasound technician. We recognize with regret the impact of such gaps in service delivery and the inconvenience caused to patients by this absence. As a temporary measure, the Ministry has redeployed a qualified professional to Farafenni General Hospital to restore ultrasound services while a permanent solution is being pursued,” MoH said in a statement.
To mitigate future disruptions, the Ministry revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen local capacity, including the training of 12 midwives in basic ultrasound scanning.
“We also acknowledge the broader need to build local expertise in radiology and related fields, so efforts are being made to incorporate such training into national medical education programmes. We remain committed to strengthening our health system and ensuring that essential services remain accessible to all. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work toward sustainable solutions,” they concluded.